Hypertension and Nutrition

In most cases, no one knows what causes high blood pressure. What is known is that the foods you eat can affect your blood pressure, in both good ways and bad.

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. The heart pumps blood into the arteries (blood vessels) which carry the blood throughout the body. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, means the pressure in your arteries is above the normal range. In most cases, no one knows what causes high blood pressure. What you eat can affect your blood pressure.

How does nutrition affect blood pressure?

• Certain foods can increase blood pressure.
• The AmCertain foods can lower blood pressure.
• Gaining weight can increase blood pressure.
• Losing weight can reduce blood pressure.

What should I eat to control high blood pressure?

• Eat foods lower in fat, salt, and calories.
• Use spices and herbs, vinegar, lemon or fruit juices instead of salt to flavor foods.
• Use less oil, butter, margarine, shortening, and salad dressings.

What are some of the foods I should eat?

• Skim or 1% milk, yogurt, Greek yogurt (calcium-rich foods can lower blood pressure).
• Lean meat.
• Skinless turkey and chicken.
• Low-salt, ready-to-eat cereals.
• Cooked hot cereal (not instant).
• Low-fat and low-salt cheeses.
• Fruits (fresh, frozen, or canned without added salt).
• Vegetables (fresh, frozen or canned, no added salt).
  • Richly colored green, orange, and red items are high in potassium and minerals that help lower blood pressure.
  • The goal is 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
• Plain rice, pasta, and potatoes.
• Breads (English muffins, bagels, rolls, and tortillas).
• Lower salt "prepared" convenience food.

Unsalted seeds (pumpkin, squash, sunflower) and unsalted nuts are mineral-rich foods that lower blood pressure.

What foods should I eat less of?

• Butter and margarine.
• Regular salad dressings.
• Fatty meats.
• Whole milk dairy products.
• Fried foods.
• Salted snacks.
• Canned soups.
• Fast foods.
• Deli meats.

What′s the difference between sodium and salt?

Salt is mostly sodium, a mineral that occurs naturally in foods. Sodium is the substance that may cause your blood pressure to increase. Other forms of sodium are also present in food. MSG (monosodium glutamate) is another example of a sodium added to food (common in Chinese food).

How does salt increase blood pressure?

When you eat too much salt, which contains sodium, your body holds extra water to "wash" the salt from your body. In some people, this may cause blood pressure to rise. The added water puts stress on your heart and blood vessels.

How much sodium is too much?

The American Heart Association recommends limiting daily sodium intake no more than 1,500 milligrams. (A teaspoon of salt has about 2,400 milligrams of sodium.) Most people greatly exceed these sodium guidelines.

How can I reduce my sodium intake?

• Don′t use table salt.
• Read nutrition labels and choose foods lower in sodium.
• Choose foods marked "sodium-free," "low sodium," and "unsalted."
• Use salt substitutes (ask your healthcare provider first).
• Don′t use lite salt as a substitute.
• Read content labels. (Contents are listed in order of greatest amount.)
• Purchase sodium-free herbs and seasoning mixes like Mrs. Dash®.

What foods are high in sodium?

• Processed foods such as lunch meats, sausage, bacon, and ham.
• Canned soups, bouillon, dried soup mixes.
• Deli meats.
• Condiments (catsup, soy sauce, salad dressings).
• Frozen and boxed mixes for potatoes, rice, and pasta.
• Snack foods (pretzels, popcorn, peanuts, chips).
• Pickled or marinated food in brine. (Vinegar- and lemon juice-based marinades are ok.)