High Blood Pressure Diet:  High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition in which the blood exerts excessive pressure on the arteries. It can cause many health problems, such as heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. Therefore, it is very important to control high blood pressure.

High blood pressure can be controlled with the help of proper lifestyle and diet. Here we are telling you about some foods (Foods to Avoid in High Blood Pressure) which high blood pressure patients should completely exclude from their diet. Let's know what those things are.

What should high blood pressure patients not eat?

High blood pressure patients should avoid consuming certain food items that can increase blood pressure, such as-

• Salt- Salt contains sodium which retains water in the body and increases blood pressure. Processed food items, canned food items and ready meals usually contain high amounts of salt.
• Saturated Fat- Saturated fat increases bad cholesterol levels which hardens the arteries and raises blood pressure. Saturated fat is found in red meat, cheese, butter, and coconut oil.
• Trans Fat- Trans fat increases bad cholesterol and lowers good cholesterol. Trans fat is found in baked goods, fried foods, etc.
• Sugar- Consuming too much sugar can lead to weight gain, which is a factor in increasing blood pressure. Sugar is found in soda, candy, and pastries.
• Alcohol - Alcohol can temporarily increase blood pressure. Heavy drinking can also lead to long-term high blood pressure.
• Coffee and tea- Caffeine may slightly increase blood pressure. However, for most people, caffeine intake does not raise blood pressure to dangerous levels. If you have a problem with caffeine increasing blood pressure, you should avoid caffeinated food items and drinks.

What should high blood pressure patients eat?

• Fruits and Vegetables – Fruits and vegetables are rich in potassium, magnesium and fiber , which help in reducing blood pressure.
• Pulses and Beans- Pulses and beans are rich in potassium and fibre.
• Whole grains- Whole grains are rich in fiber, which helps in lowering blood pressure.
• Nuts and Seeds- Nuts and seeds are rich in magnesium and polyunsaturated fats which help lower blood pressure.
• Fatty Fish – Fatty fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help lower blood pressure.

Keep these things in mind too

• Lose weight – If you are overweight, losing weight is an effective way to lower blood pressure.
• Exercise regularly- Regular exercise helps lower blood pressure.
• Manage stress- Stress can increase blood pressure. Practicing stress management techniques, such as yoga and meditation, can help lower blood pressure.
• Quit smoking- Smoking increases blood pressure. Quitting smoking is important to reduce blood pressure.