Worst Foods That Can Cause High Blood Pressure

Some of the worst foods for high blood pressure include soda, table salt, French fries, etc. Read to know the bad foods that can cause high blood pressure.

By Sravia Sivaram

Monday, July 3, 2017, 16:22

Not following the right kind of diet can increase your risk of being affected by high blood pressure or also worsen the condition if you're already suffering from it.

Habits like eating salty foods and smoking can also increase the risk exponentially. This occurs due to sodium retention.

Did you know that sodium retention is one of the primary causes of high blood pressure? Studies have shown that if you have high blood pressure, you can lower it by having a healthy diet.

foods that can cause high blood pressure

A healthy diet usually emphasizes on having lean protein, whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables. But there are many foods that can prevent you from lowering your blood pressure and you need to avoid these at any cost.

High blood pressure is also known as a silent killer and is a cardiovascular disease that is very difficult to detect.

It is also a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke; and if left uncontrolled, it can turn out to be life-threatening. In this article, we have listed some of the top foods that can cause high blood pressure. Read further to know about the bad foods for high blood pressure.

1. Soda:

Soda is one of the foods that can cause high blood pressure. Soft drinks are associated with high hypertension rate. Low calorie soda can also raise the risk of hypertension. As a healthier alternative, you can go for seltzer water with lemon.

2. Table Salt:

Table salt contains sodium that can directly damage the heart and the arteries. This can visibly increase the blood pressure. Also, salt can make your body retain more water.

This water can raise the blood pressure and put a strain on the kidneys, arteries, brain and heart. Hence, it is important to limit your salt intake. This is also confirmed in the study 'Blood Pressure And Dietary Salt In Human Populations'.

3. French Fries:

French fries that are prepared in restaurants are fried in trans fat-free oil. French fries are also rich in sodium and fats. A medium serving of French fries provides about 270 mg of sodium and 19 grams of fat, which makes them very harmful even in small quantities. This is one of the foods that can cause high blood pressure.

4. Alcohol:

Drinking excess of alcohol can raise the blood pressure to unhealthy levels. Alcohol can also damage the walls of the blood vessels. For those with high blood pressure, it is advised to drink in moderation and avoid alcohol completely.

5. Red Meat:

Red meat is a fatty food that is known to be bad for the blood vessels and heart. It is recommended to avoid fast food, red meat and hydrogenated oil-based foods that will otherwise lead to the increase of blood pressure levels. This is confirmed in the study 'Relation of Vegetable, Fruit, and Meat Intake to 7-Year Blood Pressure Change in Middle-aged Men'.

6. Processed Foods:

Processed and packaged foods contain high levels of blood pressure-enhancing sodium. Hence, it is considered better to avoid bacon, sausage, hot dogs as well as other processed products. This is one of the top foods that is bad for high blood pressure.

7. Pickles:

These are one of the worst foods that can cause high blood pressure. Pickles are known to be high in sodium. A medium-sized pickle of about 54 inches can have 570 mg of sodium in it. That is about 1/3rd of the daily sodium limit.

8. Sugar:

This is also termed as the food you must avoid for high blood pressure. Sugary foods can cause weight gain and obesity. Obesity is also one of the root causes of high blood pressure.

9. Donuts:

Donuts are one of the foods that can cause high blood pressure. One pack of donuts can carry 12 grams of fat and 200 calories. Hence, it is recommended to avoid this sweet treat.

10. Canned Biscuits:

Most of the canned biscuits contain trans fat. Trans fats are closely linked with increased risk of hypertension in older and middle-aged women. You must also consider taking whole-grain loaves of bread and rolls, instead of white ones.

11. Whole Milk:

One cup of whole milk serving is known to have 8 grams of fat. It will provide you with more fat than required. Saturated fats in whole milk are known to be linked with high blood pressure.

12. Frozen Meals:

Frozen meals are often loaded with sodium as well as other preservatives that are not a good news for your blood pressure levels. This is also one of the bad foods for high blood pressure.

13. Energy Drinks:

Energy drinks contain caffeine that can provide a temporary blood pressure rise, which can have negative effects on your health. Drinking these frequently must be avoided by all means.