12 Worst Foods for High Blood Pressure
What is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is among the world’s most common health conditions experienced by people of all ages. It happens when the blood flow against the artery walls is so high that it causes a variety of health problems including heart disease.
Sodium and Blood Pressure- What’s the Connection?
Sodium and blood pressure share a strong correlation, and what you eat will eventually determine your health outcomes. High blood pressure patients must avoid sodium-rich foods at all costs because sodium disturbs the body’s water balance, which strains our blood vessels and raises the blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, the first thing you need to change in your lifestyle is your dietary choices. There are many foods that contain high amount of sodium but people are generally unaware about it.
Here are the top 12 foods that are rich in sodium and those with high blood pressure must avoid them.
Chicken
There is no doubt that Americans love chicken; they can eat it in any form whether grilled or fried, in burgers or sandwiches, and as lunches or dinners. It is perhaps the staple dish in almost every American household. But did you know that chicken is usually injected with saltwater solutions at the time of processing, which increases the sodium content of chicken. That’s the reason chicken is listed on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) top ten sodium sources. Yup you hear that right! Just 4oz of skinless and boneless chicken breast contains 40mg to 330mg sodium. This doesn’t mean you should completely eliminate chicken from your daily diet, but you must check the label before purchasing. The sodium content must be less than or equal to 70mg. Typically organically raised chicken have a bit less sodium content in them, but not by much.