Having high blood pressure could be potentially dangerous. It involves boosted force exerted by your blood flowing against vascular walls. Also known as hypertension, chronic high blood pressure can indicate a number of problems such as lifestyle problems, underlying conditions and a genetic predisposition. As usual, a small spike in the blood pressure level is normal after consuming unhealthy foods or undergoing stressful conditions. But, when the blood pressure is too low, it is medically called as hypotension. This condition is classified by a reading of 90/60 or even less. Making some simple dietary changes can increase the blood pressure level. Read on this article to know foods that raise blood pressure!
Foods That Raise Your Blood Pressure
- Fatty Foods
According to research, people have diets which are high in meat and fat tend to have higher blood pressure levels than those of vegetarians. It is because vegetarian diets contain a lot of fiber and polyunsaturated fats, which can lower blood pressure levels. Besides, vegetables and fruits can also reduce blood pressure.
- Chicken Skin
Among foods that raise blood pressure, chicken skin might surprise you a lot. In fact, chicken skin, particularly if it is from a packaged meat, might be delicious, but also high in saturated fats, hydrogenated oils and trans fats that can build up your LDL cholesterol level. LDL cholesterol is considered bad cholesterol. Of course, high cholesterol is a huge driver of the condition of high blood pressure and may potentially cause hypertension or worsen that condition.
- Processed Foods
Processed foods tend to contain a high amount of salt either for taste or as a preservative. This might help the producer increase their products’ shelf life, thereby saving some money, but it may damage your health. Thus, you should avoid processed foods like pickled goods, chips, pretzels, popcorn, peanuts, frozen mixes, dressings, ketchup, deli meats and dried soup mixes.
- Alcohol
One of the most harmful foods that raise high blood pressure is alcohol. Excessive amounts of alcohol intake have been shown to raise blood pressure to dangerous levels. Experts have found that when you drink excessive amounts of alcohol, your blood pressure could increase dangerously. When an individual has over three drinks in just one sitting, their own blood pressure will elevate temporarily and this issue could turn into permanent if they binge continually. Therefore, staying away from alcohol is a good way to reduce your blood pressure.
- Sea Salt
Just one teaspoon of table salt has 2,300 mg of sodium, in accordance with the American Heart Association. It is the upper limit of everyday sodium consumption which is recommended by the new U.S Dietary Guidelines. But, the average American seems to far exceed those limits.
- Refined Sugar
Excessive intake of sugar will increase your body fat. It is estimated that most Americans take about 240 pounds of sugar annually on average. Being overweight and weight gain, on the other hand, can increase blood pressure.
- Whole Milk
Despite drinking milk is usually considered nutritious, it could be a rich source of fat. Just one cup of whole milk contains approximately 8 grams of fat, and 5 of which are saturated fats. As mentioned earlier in this list of foods that raise blood pressure, being overweight can increase your blood pressure levels.
- Pastries
Cakes, croissants, rolls, cookies, danishes, and muffins are tasty but potentially high in things such as butter, sugar, sodium, and saturated fats as well. This amount will increase double if such goods are coated in icing or glazed. They may increase blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
However, it is rather hard to restrict your diet plan completely from such foods, you should look for low-sugar or low-fat options at the grocery store and read the food labels carefully.
- Pickles
Although pickles are low calorie, which is very great, they contain sodium. A medium pickle of 5 inches in length could have approximately 570 mg of sodium. In fact, that amount is over 1/3 of your daily sodium limit (about 2300 mg).
- Sauerkraut
Consuming sauerkraut is a great way to add more greens to your bratwurst. It is also low calorie. Nonetheless, just a half cup of sauerkraut contains more than 460 mg of sodium.
To sum up, managing blood pressure might seem like a fierce battle requiring a lot of sacrifices. It might be true. However, if you acknowledge what foods that raise blood pressure and limit them properly, you can take control of this condition in all natural ways.
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