Prevent Hypertension by Avoiding These ‘Salty Six’ Foods

Hypertension is commonly known as high blood pressure. It is defined as the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Every time your heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries. High blood pressure or low blood pressure is a matter of concern among individuals. However, studies suggest that it is becoming increasingly common among people. Hypertension is a life-threatening condition that results in heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, it is important to bring lifestyle changes that keep you at bay from this disease.

Why should you avoid these ‘Salty Six’?

Individuals with hypertension should avoid eating salty foods. It is so because having salty foods increases blood pressure levels and also escalates the chances of cardiovascular attacks. Studies reveal the direct relationship between sodium intake and increased hypertension. Here’s a list of 6 foods you must avoid, if you are hypertensive:

1. Bread: Food like bread that people eat without consideration is a major culprit of increased sodium intake. Therefore, you should watch out before eating bread. Look out for healthier alternatives of bread, preferably whole-grain pieces of bread with fewer preservatives.
2. Processed Meat: Factory-farmed meat that is stored and preserved contains more than a third of the daily recommended dietary sodium. The high sodium content makes the water content in the body rise which in turn raises the blood pressure.
3. Pizza: We know that pizza is not good for our stomach, but did you know that it is bad for your heart too. A slice of pizza easily has more than 700 mg of sodium. The dough, salty cheese, and sodium-heavy pepperoni, and salt are sprinkled on the top of a pizza. All of these add up to make pizza avoidable.
4. Fried Chicken:  Marinated chickens have added salt. But, Even a fresh chicken is full of preservatives. Poultry sellers inject saline water to make the chicken look plumper. And, frying the chicken and then eating it just makes it worse. Therefore, it is better to avoid chicken completely if you are hypertensive.
5. Canned Soups: Canned soups contain more sodium than necessary. Therefore, a healthier alternative would be to make the soup at home by yourself! Tada! A healthy and nutritious meal that is good for your heart.
6. Sandwiches: A slice of bread contains 100-230 milligrams of sodium. And, if you are eating a sandwich, simply double that. If you are hypertensive, it adds a significant amount of sodium to your diet. Therefore, it should be avoided.