Blood pressure refers to the pressure of your blood on the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps it to different parts of your body. It’s an important part of how your heart and blow flow function. Your blood pressure naturally rises and reduces all the time, adjusting to your heart’s needs relying on the activities you are carrying out.
High blood pressure occurs when your blood pressure is continuously higher than normal. It is also referred to as hypertension.
It’s very vital to get your blood pressure always checked, and if it’s continuously high it needs to be regulated. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause health issues such as heart attack or stroke. It may also damage your kidneys.
It is of great necessity to know the kind of foods that are more likely to cause high blood pressure. Many social gatherings require us to eat and drink with friends and family, and so it is pertinent to understand the kind of foods to avoid and which foods should be consumed in a moderate amount.
Some of the foods and drinks to avoid if you suffer from high blood pressure are as follows.
1. Pastries
Doughnuts, cakes, and cookies are packed with sugar along with fat. The combination may lead to weight gain in high amounts. Lower your intake of these products by ensuring to keep the portion and serving sizes in proper check.
2. Canned foods
Many canned vegetables, soups, and other food products are made with a high amount of salt for taste and food preservation. Ensure you consume canned foods moderately to prevent hypertension.
3. Processed foods
Processed foods contain a lot of salt. Lowering your intake of these foods is vital to avoid hypertension, hence it is necessary to reduce your processed food consumption.
4. Coffee
Caffeine-containing beverages like coffee can trigger a significant increase in blood pressure. Caffeine may make the adrenal glands release too much cortisol and adrenaline substances that typically lead to a further rise in your levels of blood pressure.
5. Alcohol
Drinking alcohol has been proven to lower heart disease risk. Consuming alcohol in moderate amounts and recommended amounts is limited to two servings in a day for men and one serving per day for women. Excess alcohol consumption can cause initial dehydration and long-term weight gain, both consequently spiking blood pressure levels.
6. Canned soup
Canned soups contain a high amount of sodium which makes them a risk factor for high blood pressure. It is good to keep your salt intake regulated by preparing your soup from a low-sodium recipe.
7. Sugar
Sugar, particularly sugar-sweetened drinks, has led to an increase in obesity in people of all ages. High blood pressure is more common in persons who have heavyweight or obese.
It is advisable to limit and control your level of sugar intake.
Thanks for reading; Like share and comment your opinions in the comments section below.
