In the last 40 years, the total number of people living with high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) has doubled. This amounts to over one billion people worldwide. However, many people are unaware that they have high blood pressure. You can live with it for years without any signs. There is a popular saying, you are what you eat. Your diet has a significant impact on your blood pressure levels. Certain foods and beverages such as excessive salt and alcohol will continue to make your condition worse. This is the reason why you have to know what foods cause high blood pressure.

Foods That Cause Blood Pressure

• Salt (Sodium)
  A diet high in salt has an adverse effect in many people. It raises their blood pressure. This is because salt increases the amount of sodium in your bloodstream and ruins the fragile balance, reducing the ability of your kidneys to remove water. It may also damage the arteries leading to your heart.

• Packaged Foods
  According to a new study, the chemicals found in plastics used for packaged foods could cause high blood pressure, not only in adults but also in children. Exposure to DEHP (di-2-Ethylhexyl phthalate) used in food packaging causes notable hormonal and metabolic abnormalities, especially during early development. As stated by U.S Food and Drug Administration, about 75% of the sodium you consume daily comes from packaged foods. The chemicals contained in food packaging and the percentage of sodium in the foods is the reason to avoid them, especially if you already have high blood pressure.
  
  
• Sugar
  Naturally or artificially added sugar is commonly found in many foods. Sugar offers nothing but calories and consequently lead to weight gain. If you are obese, eating more sugar will only increase your risk of developing high blood pressure. Cut out pastries, sauces, candy, and soft drinks because they are foods that raise blood pressure.
  
  
• Alcohol
  There are several ways that alcohol can raise blood pressure. Excessive consumption of alcohol leads to dehydration and weight gain over time, both eventually increase blood pressure. If you are on blood pressure medications, drinking alcohol can interfere with the side effects of these medicines. So it is imperative to avoid alcohol.
  
  
• Frozen Meals
  Frozen pizza, pot pies, and chicken strips are just some of the foods you must avoid with high blood pressure. They are high in sodium and contain several unwanted ingredients that are toxic to your body. A pot pie serving, for instance, contains 35g of fat and about 1400 mg of sodium.
  
  
• Canned Soups, Beans and Tomato Products
  If you are working towards lowering your blood pressure, it is best that you avoid canned soups, canned beans, and bottled tomatoes because they are all high in sodium. One cup of tomato juice has about 680 mg of sodium. Despite the fact that canned soups are so easy to prepare, they still aren't good for your health. They can have as much as 900 mg of sodium in just one serving.
  
  
• Whole Milk
  Milk is a good food. A good source of calcium, but whole milk contains fatter than you actually need. Saturated fats are not good and have been linked to heart disease. So when you want to drink milk, make sure you opt for low-fat milk, it will help with blood pressure.
  
  
• Noodles
  Although they are simple and easy to prepare, they are not healthy. A pack of noodles has 14 grams of fat and its flavor contains over 1500mg of sodium!

4 Foods for Treating High Blood Pressure

• Potassium-rich Foods
  One way to ease pressure on your blood vessels and get rid of sodium in your body is through the consumption of potassium. You can get quality potassium by swapping processed foods for natural and fresh foods that are rich in potassium. These foods include fruits like bananas, oranges, and blueberries; nuts and seeds; vegetables like leafy greens, sweet potatoes, and peas; dairy foods such as yogurt and skim milk.
  
  
• Magnesium-rich Foods
  Magnesium is a vital mineral that helps maintain blood pressure. It helps to relax your blood vessels and prevents high blood pressure. Foods that are rich in magnesium include whole grains, cashews, almonds, peanuts, black beans, and dark leafy greens.
  
  
• Calcium-rich Foods
  Consuming about 100 mg of calcium daily has been associated with healthy blood pressure levels in adults. Individuals whose calcium intake is low often have high blood pressure. So incorporate skim milk, sardines, broccoli, cheese, almonds, and other calcium-rich foods in your diet for high blood pressure.
  
  
• Dark Chocolate
  A study discovered that eating 100 grams of dark chocolate is linked to a lower chance of cardiovascular disease. Cocoa powder and dark chocolate contain plant compounds that can relax blood vessels, reducing your blood pressure.

On a Final Note

There are many foods to avoid with high blood pressure, especially processed foods, and everyone is at risk of developing hypertension. Whether you have high blood pressure or you not, make sure you consume less salt (sodium), less sugar (especially artificial), little or no alcohol, avoid frozen meals, canned products, and excess noodles. In addition to the foods that you should eat in order to treat high blood pressure, you should also monitor your blood pressure, exercise regularly, meditate or practice deep breathing, avoid smoking, reduce stress, reduce caffeine, and live a healthy lifestyle. For more information, click and watch the video. If you want to find more information about how to overcome high blood pressure, please click here.