Foods to Avoid If You Have Hypertension

You’ve been diagnosed with hypertension, and you’re concerned about your blood pressure.

So what can you do to improve your heart health?

We have a few great suggestions for foods and drinks to avoid if you have hypertension.

Many people know that good nutrition and exercise is critical to a healthy heart. The same applies when it comes to reducing hypertension. It’s important to add heart-healthy foods into your lifestyle, such as those rich in potassium and magnesium. But there are also some foods and drinks that may not fit into your health plan. Here are six foods and drinks you should avoid if you want to reduce hypertension.

PROCESSED MEATS

Most processed food is bad for your overall health, but in particular, processed meat is very bad for your heart health. Your turkey sandwich could be negatively affecting your heart without you even realizing it. Deli meats contain additional fat, sodium, and other additives. If you notice that you’re eating deli meats and sandwiches, you may want to take a look at alternatives such as grilled chicken and vegetarian options.

SODA AND SWEETENED BEVERAGES

Your body will convert soda and sweetened beverages into fat. The excess sugar and fat can cause weight gain, which then creates various other health problems. Substitute your soda for seltzer, water, or a bottle of 120/Life to maintain healthy blood pressure.

RED MEAT

Red meat is typically higher in cholesterol, which can increase blood pressure. While you do not necessarily need to cut out all red meat, it’s a good idea to considerably reduce your intake. This way, you can still enjoy the occasional cheeseburger without increasing your blood pressure.

ALCOHOL

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, meaning more than one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men, can increase your blood pressure to dangerous levels. So while you do not need to cut out alcohol altogether, you may need to reduce the number of drinks you have a week to ensure your blood pressure stays in a healthy range.

CAFFEINE

While your morning cup of coffee helps you wake up, it may not be helping your heart. Again, this depends on how much coffee you’re drinking a day, but—depending on your sensitivity to it—drinking a lot of caffeine can increase your blood pressure. Adding in decaf coffee now and then through the day can help with this, as can subbing out a cup for 120/Life.

SWEETS AND DESSERTS

Having dessert after dinner should be a once in a while habit instead of a nightly practice. Similar to soda, your body converts the excess sugar into fat, which can cause weight gain. Practice moderation and look for low sugar options at the grocery store.

While it takes time and patience to lower your blood pressure, you can achieve heart health by reducing unhealthy foods in your diet, exercising, and taking blood pressure lowering supplements such as 120/Life.

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