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Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day. However, if it remains elevated for an extended period of time, it might cause heart damage and other health issues. Having extremely high blood pressure will put you at risk for stroke and heart disease, two of the most common causes of death in the U.S. If you want to reduce your chances of developing these problems, keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.
Aside from pharmacological means, there are some additional strategies to reduce blood pressure, such as increasing activity and altering your diet, both of which can be achieved by limiting what you drink and eat. Let’s start with the meat section if you don’t know where to begin making changes. Dr. Young advised us on the worst meats to avoid if you want to lower your blood pressure.
1 — Deli meats
Deli meats may be easy and convenient, but that doesn’t mean they’re always the best choice.
Dr. Young reveals that “deli meats are highly processed meats and full of sodium,” both of which can be detrimental to one’s health. She goes on to say that these meats often contain a preservative called sodium nitrate, which has been linked to heart disease. Furthermore, the excessive salt content in these foods can lead to hypertension.
Those who ate more nitrates than others had a greater chance of developing serious heart ailments, according to a study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Furthermore, numerous studies discovered that consuming a lot of salt is linked to an increased risk of hypertension (also known as high blood pressure).
2 — Bacon
One strip of bacon can considerably raise your blood pressure, which is a significant problem that millions of people suffer from.
“Bacon is high in salt and nitrates, both of which can raise blood pressure,” says Dr. Young.
A single strip of bacon has approximately 115 milligrams of sodium. The American Heart Association advises that those who suffer from high blood pressure limit their daily intake to 1,500 milligrams or less. Although this is only slightly over 7% of the recommended amount, it can still add up quickly. And instead of one strip, people often eat two, three, or even four strips at a time. Just think about the next time you order a BLT sandwich and pay attention to how many slices of bacon are on your sandwich
3 — Fast food
Although fast food chains have gradually been introducing healthier menu items, you still need to be careful when choosing what to eat. This is especially true if you’re trying to maintain a healthy blood pressure.
Dr. Young advises against eating fried chicken sandwiches and cheeseburgers.
“Because these are full of fat, sodium, and calories, they can raise blood pressure,” explains Dr. Young.
