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Avoid These 4 Foods And Drinks That Could Cause Blood Pressure To Rocket

An expert urged caution against these foods and drinks where possible, although she warned you may be consuming more of them than you reliase. An expert warned that salty foods like takeaways can be especially dangerous to people with high blood pressure (

Image: Getty)

A dietitian has issued an urgent warning as four popular types of food and drink could cause your blood pressure to soar. Around one in three people in the UK are thought to be living with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, although many may not even be aware of this.

It is a condition that occurs when the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls is consistently too high. This means the heart has to work harder to pump blood.

Over time this can cause damage to the heart, blood vessels and other organs. It is also a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.

While you might be more likely to develop high blood pressure due to your genetics and age, there are a number of lifestyle factors that can also affect your blood pressure. This includes diet.

Certain foods can raise your blood pressure while others can lower it. With this in mind, senior dietitian for the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Victoria Taylor, revealed the worst foods to eat for hypertension.

She said: "If you have high blood pressure (hypertension), one of the tools you can use to help keep it under control is your diet." Victoria referenced a diet developed in the 1990s, known as the DASH diet (dietary approaches to stop hypertension).

"It's been shown to be helpful by numerous studies," she said. Based on these findings she listed four types of food and drink to avoid.

Victoria caveated her advice saying: "You don't necessarily need to completely exclude these foods but be mindful about how much you eat."

Alcohol is one drink that could raise your blood pressure, she warned (

Image:

Getty) Salty foods

NHS guidelines state that we should have no more than six grams of salt a day, which is about a teaspoon. Salt can be dangerous as it makes the body hold onto water, driving up blood pressure.

Victoria explained: "Most of the salt we eat is already in our food when we buy it in things like olives, crisps, sauces and pickles. It is also in processed meats like ham, bacon and sausages, as well as staples like bread and breakfast cereals."

She therefore recommended checking food labels to look for low-salt options and cut back on high-salt foods. "Try to cut down on eating out and takeaway foods, too, and make your own lower-salt versions at home," she added.

Sugary and fatty foods

Victoria noted that sugar and fat may not "directly" affect your blood pressure, but foods that are high in fat and sugar are high-calorie foods. She said: "Eating too much of them can lead to weight gain, which is linked to raised blood pressure.

"Plan to have healthy snacks like fruit or plain yoghurt if you get hungry between meals. Take something with you like a handful of nuts and dried fruit for when you are out and about."

Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol is known to raise your blood pressure She advised: "If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Too much can raise blood pressure and lead to weight gain over time."

Government guidelines recommend drinking no more than 14 units per week. 14 units is equivalent to six pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of lower-strength wine.

The only way to be sure of your blood pressure is to get it tested either using a kit at home or by your GP (

Image:

Getty) Caffeine

Victoria added: "Caffeine can raise blood pressure but its effect is usually short lived and lessens when you drink it regularly. That means a moderate intake, four to five cups a day, should not be a problem for most people.

"However, some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others and drinking too much caffeine may affect blood pressure." It is important to remember that caffeine is not only found in coffee and tea but it's also in energy drinks, chocolate and soft drinks like colas.

If you are concerned about your blood pressure you should speak to your GP.

The Four Worst Foods And Drinks For High Blood Pressure, According To Expert

A dietitian has issued a stark warning about four common food and drink items that could send your blood pressure skyrocketing.

It's estimated that one in three Brits are living with high blood pressure, or hypertension, many of whom may be blissfully unaware.

Hypertension is a condition where the force of blood against artery walls is consistently too high, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood. Over time, this can wreak havoc on the heart, blood vessels and other organs, and significantly increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

While genetics and age play a part, lifestyle factors, including diet, can also influence blood pressure. Certain foods can either raise or lower blood pressure reports the Mirror.

With this in mind, Victoria Taylor, senior dietitian for the British Heart Foundation (BHF), has revealed the worst culprits for hypertension. She said: "If you have high blood pressure (hypertension), one of the tools you can use to help keep it under control is your diet."

An expert warned that salty foods like takeaways can be especially dangerous to people with high blood pressure (Image: Getty)

Victoria pointed to a diet developed in the 1990s, known as the DASH diet (dietary approaches to stop hypertension), which she says has been proven beneficial by numerous studies.

Based on these findings, she listed four types of food and drink to steer clear of. Victoria offered a word of caution alongside her guidance, stating: "You don't necessarily need to completely exclude these foods but be mindful about how much you eat."

Regarding salty foods, NHS guidelines suggest that our daily intake should not exceed six grams, roughly equivalent to one teaspoon. Salt poses a risk as it causes the body to retain water, which can increase blood pressure.

Victoria elaborated on the issue, saying: "Most of the salt we consume is already present in food items such as olives, crisps, sauces, and pickles when we purchase them. It's also found in processed meats like ham, bacon, and sausages, as well as common foods like bread and breakfast cereals."

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Consequently, she advises checking labels for low-salt options and reducing consumption of high-salt products. "Try to cut down on eating out and takeaway foods, too, and make your own lower-salt versions at home," she added.

When discussing sugary and fatty foods, Victoria pointed out that although sugar and fat may not "directly" impact blood pressure, they are often found in high-calorie foods. She explained: "Eating too much of them can lead to weight gain, which is linked to raised blood pressure."

She suggested planning for healthy snacks such as fruit or plain yoghurt to stave off hunger between meals and recommended carrying portable snacks like nuts and dried fruit when out and about.

On the topic of alcohol, Victoria warned that excessive drinking can elevate blood pressure. She advised: "If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Too much can raise blood pressure and lead to weight gain over time."

NHS Issues Warning Over Common Medication Used By Millions In Winter

The NHS has issued a warning to Brits over medicine used by millions of people in the winter months.

As temperatures drop and bugs spread, it is quite common to feel a little run down while your body fights off the odd cold and, occasionally, something a little more serious.

But one common medicine taken by millions of Brits to help battle feeling rather groggy in the autumn and winter freeze comes with a warning, the health service has explained.

We're talking about decongestants.

They're an incredibly common form of medicine that you can buy over the counter. There's no need for a prescription.

Usually in a nasal spray or a tablet, they help clear your sinuses and that annoying stuffy nose that has made the simple act of breathing really annoying. Providing instant relief to some, they have widespread use due to how effective and cheap they can be in helping you with the niggling health problems.

Hay fever sufferers will also know what I'm on about, as well as people who suffer from minor allergic reactions. The sprays a godsend when having a particularly bad flare up.

Nasal sprays are a common way to administer a decongestant (Getty Stock Images)

But given they aren't prescribed by a doctor, using a decongestant comes with a warning, the NHS explains.

And that's because many people don't read the paperwork that comes in the box you buy the medicine in.

"They should not be used by the following groups of people without getting advice from a pharmacist or GP first," the NHS explains.

Issuing a list of list who should not take decongestants, the NHS warns against consuming them if you are taking over medicines; have diabetes; have high blood pressure (hypertension); have an overactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism); have an enlarged prostate; have liver, kidney, heart or circulation problems; or have increased pressure in the eye glaucoma.

On top of that, you should not be using them on children under the age of six and for kids aged six to 11, usage should be for no more than five days in a row before consulting a pharmacist or doctor.

Decongestants can be vital in helping you when you feel run down and bunged up (Getty Stock Images)

For those who are pregnant, only take them 'if told to by a healthcare professional', the NHS recommends.

And for mums, the NHS says: "Decongestants that come as tablets, liquids or powders that you swallow are not recommended if you're breastfeeding."

If in doubt, read the small print, especially since some products may just contain decongestant medicine, but others are sold as 'all-in-one' remedies that contain decongestants, painkillers or antihistamines.

They come in tablet form too (Getty Stock Images)

Decongestant medicines do not usually have side effects, and any side effects you may experience are usually mild.

Possible side effects can include feeling sleepy (look for non-drowsy medicines); irritation of the lining of your nose; and headaches.

Other things you could experience are feeling or being sick; a dry mouth; feeling restless or agitated; and getting a rash.

The NHS says: "Ask a pharmacist or GP before taking decongestants if you're taking other medicines.

"Decongestants can increase or decrease the effect of some other medicines."

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