Blood pressure is a disease that mostly shows zero symptoms. Well, this is why this disease is often referred to as the silent killer. Looking at the present situation, high BP has become a very common problem in people of all ages. It was found that in every ten families, eight families had at least one member who was suffering from the issue of high blood pressure. The main reason behind this is the change in food habits. We all have started consuming so much unhealthy junk, which eventually leads to the development of various health issues.
However, in order to promote our health and well-being, it is our responsibility to avoid unhealthy foods and opt for healthy eating habits. Hence, to spread awareness for the same, we decide to list 15 foods to avoid with high blood pressure. Please keep reading to learn all of them.
The Top 15 Foods To Avoid With High Blood Pressure
1. Food rich in caffeine
The first one on our list of 15 foods to avoid with high blood pressure are products that are very rich in Caffeine content. Some of the most popular and commonly consumed examples include tea and coffee. They are foods that are generally consumed on a regular basis. But, most of you might not be aware of the fact that irrespective of whether you are suffering from high blood pressure or not, you should avoid consuming caffeine-rich foods regularly. The main reasons for the same are mentioned below.
- Foods high in caffeine lead to direct and extensive increases in the blood pressure levels of the body.
- Excessive caffeine consumption can cause problems like stress and anxiety.
- You might face severe sleep issues if you regularly drink coffee more than twice a day.
Hence, considering all these points, you should avoid consuming caffeine-rich food items. This becomes a necessary condition in case you have a problem of high blood pressure.
2. Alcohol, cigarettes, and other tobacco products
When suffering from high blood pressure, it is advised that you stay away from alcohol, cigarettes, and other products that contain tobacco. Well this is because alcohol and cigarette smoke directly interrupt the blood flow when consumed. This directly leads to an increase in blood pressure.
Additionally, it is believed that alcohol and cigarettes directly cause harm to your heart and affect its blood pumping capacity. Also, hard drinks are known for increasing body weight and promoting obesity. And, as we all know, obesity itself is a disease which further invites various other health issues as well. Hence, this is why these products are a part of 15 foods to avoid with high blood pressure.
3. Processed meats
Consuming processed meats not only leads to a direct increase in your blood pressure but, instead, it also interrupts and increases the sugar level of your body. Some common examples of processed meats include ham, bacon, sausages, hot dogs, etc. All these food items are enriched with sodium. Well, this is the main reason they are known as processed meats. And clearly, excessive sodium will directly lead to a high level of blood pressure in your body.
Another reason why you should avoid these foods if you have high blood pressure is because they contain a lot of unhealthy fats and carbohydrates. All these unhealthy nutrients further cause a lot of harm to your heart while negatively affecting your overall well-being.
If you ever wish to consume non veg food items, we recommend you go for healthy, nutritious, and lean meats. Grilled or boiled chicken and fish will serve as the perfect choice.
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4. Fried and junk food items
The fourth one on our list of unhealthy 15 foods to avoid with high blood pressure are the fried food items. Some common examples include deep-fried fitters, fries, potato wedges, patties, etc. The only similarities possessed by all fried food items are that they are all very unhealthy, contain no fiber, and lack all the essential nutrients required for your overall well-being. In addition to this, all fried items contain a massive quantity of trans fats. Hence, when consumed, these fried foods directly lead to an increase in the blood pressure level of the body.
On the other hand, it was noticed that people who regularly consume fried and junk food are more likely prone to developing various heart diseases and other health issues. Hence, irrespective of whether or not you are suffering from the problem of high blood pressure, it would be best for you to avoid consuming fried and junk food items.
5. Chocolate
If you are suffering from high blood pressure, consuming chocolates can further worsen your situation. This is because chocolates are not only high in caffeine. But, instead, they also contain a lot of sugar content along with saturated fats, cadmium, and lead as well. Hence, when consumed, chocolates can majorly increase your blood pressure as well the sugar level of your body.
The speed and rate at which chocolates increase the blood pressure is so high that they are even prescribed by doctors to patients suffering from low blood pressure. This is because they help improve and balance their BP while making it stable after one point in time.
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6. Dairy products
Dairy products should be avoided if you are suffering from the health condition of high blood pressure. This is because, even though these products contain various nutrients, they are very high in calories and fats as well. Due to this, they result in an immediate increase in the blood pressure level of your body.
Also, it is believed that full-fat dairy products like milk, cheese, and butter, lead to an excessive increase in the overall body weight as well. Also, these products can negatively affect other body parts including liver and heart.
7. Packaged salty snacks
Packaged snacks should be avoided by people with high blood pressure. This is because they are packed with a lot of preservatives and salt as well. And clearly, salt, when consumed in excess, leads to an immediate increase in the blood pressure level of your body.
Hence, avoid consuming packaged snacks as much as possible.
8. Pickled vegetables
Irrespective of whether you pickled vegetables at home or bought them from the market, you should avoid eating them if you have a high BP problem. Well this is because vinegar and salt are the two main ingredients used while pickling vegetables. Both these ingredients can shoot up the blood pressure level of your body when consumed even in moderation. Hence, to prevent your BP level from increasing, avoid consuming pickled vegetables.
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9. Sauces and dressings
There is nothing to be surprised to see sauces and dressings as a part of 15 foods to avoid with high blood pressure. Some common examples include tomato ketchup, mayonnaise, chipotle, soy sauce, pizza and pasta sauce, etc. These side dips and dressing often go unnoticed. Well, this is because no one consumes them as a snack or main course. Instead, sauces and side dips are always used as accomplishments with other snacks and dishes to enhance their taste further. However, this fact cannot be ignored that these dips and sauces contain a lot of salt and sodium. Additionally, they are usually consumed with fried foods.
Hence, this combination can lead to a sudden rise in your blood pressure. Therefore, you should avoid these sauces or else, consume them in a moderate quantity.
10. Sugary drinks
Sugary drinks, as the name suggests, are drinks that are high in sugar content. They fall under the category of soft drinks and usually taste the best when chilled. Some examples of the most popular and commonly consumed sugary drinks include flavored soda, mojito, etc. No doubt, these drinks taste really delicious. But, we cannot ignore the fact that these contain a lot of saturated and trans fats. Hence, they directly contribute to excessive weight gain. Also, these drinks have zero nutritional value. Therefore, to avoid your blood pressure from rising, it would be best for you to avoid consuming sugary drinks and sodas.
11. Energy drinks
As the name suggests, energy drinks are drinks that claim to provide immediate energy to your body when consumed. This is the reason why these drinks are very popular amongst teens and working people. No doubt, these drinks actually provide energy to your body, waving off tiredness and fatigue. But are you aware of the ingredients included in these drinks? Well, the main components used to make energy drinks include sugar and caffeine. Additionally, they also contain a lot of added colors and flavors to make them appear even more appealing.
Clearly, sugar and caffeine are both enemies of a person with high blood pressure. Hence, if you also fall in the same category, it is advised that you should stay away from energy drinks. However, if you are constantly tired and looking for things that make you feel energetic, you can try some natural and healthy alternatives instead. These might include things like green tea, fresh coconut water, ice or matcha tea, chilled lemon water, freshly squeezed lemon juice, etc.
12. Frozen food items
Frozen food items were basically introduced for people employed in the forces. Instead of starving during the wars, they were able to have a fulfilling meal at that point in time. No doubt, frozen food items are delicious and fulfilling. Additionally, they can be prepared in no time. Also, frozen dishes appear to be fresh when heated up. However, we should not forget that they are not freshly cooked dishes. Instead, they were prepared long ago. Also, to make them taste fresh when heated up, a lot of preservatives are added to frozen food items. These include salt and other sodium components.
As of now, we all know that salt is very harmful to people with high blood pressure as it causes an immediate effect on the BP level of your body. Hence, this is the reason why frozen food items are among the 15 foods to avoid with high blood pressure.
13. White bread
White breads do not taste salty at all. However, you will be surprised to know that even one serving of them contains somewhere between 100 to 200 milligrams of sodium. Well, this is a clear indication that something that is high in sodium content will not necessarily have a salty taste. Hence, if you have a problem of high blood pressure, it would be best for you to avoid white bread. Another thing that adds to the negative points of white bread is the lack of fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients. Also, white bread contains a lot of saturated fats and can lead to increased cholesterol levels in the body as well.
If you love eating bread, try to search for healthy alternatives instead. You can go for whole wheat bread, brown bread, sourdough bread, etc.
14. Packaged baked goods
Unlike packaged salty snacks, packaged baked goods do not contain a lot of salt. But, instead, they contain a large quantity of sugar, unhealthy fats, carbohydrates, and preservatives as well. Some common and most popularly consumed examples include packaged cakes, biscuits, cookies, donuts, etc.
These snacks when consumed can directly cause a hike in the blood sugar levels of your body. On the other hand, they can also lead to the development of problems like high blood pressure and various heart diseases. Hence, in order to maintain your blood pressure, it would be best if you avoided consuming packaged baked goods.
15. Licorice
Finally, the last item included in the 15 foods to avoid with high blood pressure is licorice. No doubt, this is a magical ingredient that naturally benefits our body in several ways. However, the harmful effects of the same cannot be ignored. It is scientifically proven that licorice, when consumed, even in a moderate quantity, can lead to increased blood pressure levels in the human body. Also, regular consumption of licorice can further develop various deadly heart and mind diseases. Hence, if not compulsory, people with high blood pressure problems should avoid consuming licorice as much as possible.
Winding up
This was our blog that contained 15 foods to avoid with high blood pressure. After reading the entire blog, you must have noticed that all the food items mentioned here are the ones that we consume on a regular basis. Hence, even if you do not have the problem of high blood pressure, you should still avoid consuming them. Therefore, consume healthy food items to stay away from health issues and remain fit overall.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which are the food items that can cause the health problem of high blood pressure?
There are various food items which we consume on a regular basis that further lead to the development and increase in the blood pressure levels of our bodies. Chocolate, salty and sugary snacks, breads, donuts, cakes, pastries, fried and junk foods, and energy drinks are the primary examples of foods causing high blood pressure.
2. How can consuming processed and red meats lead to an increase in our blood pressure level?
Processed meats like bacon, hot dogs, and sausages contain a lot of salt and sodium content. Hence, when you consume these particular food items, the salt content of your body hikes up immediately. This further leads to a considerable increase in your blood pressure level as well.
3. Is it advised to avoid licorice if suffering from the problem of high blood pressure?
Yes! It will be really beneficial for you to avoid licorice if you have a high BP problem. Well, this is because consuming licorice can worsen your health by immediately increasing your heart rate and blood pressure as well.
4. Why are energy drinks included in the foods to avoid when suffering from the problem of high blood pressure?
Energy drinks contain various energy-providing components like sugar and caffeine. All these components interrupt the blood flow and cause an immediate rise in the blood pressure level of our body. Hence, to maintain your BP, you should avoid consuming these drinks.