In addition to salt, people with hypertension should limit bread, white rice, and refined flour because they contain many carbohydrates, low fiber, and high glycemic index.
High blood pressure can cause serious complications such as stroke and heart attack. According to Master and Doctor Doan Vinh Binh, Medical Information Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, one of the important factors to help control this condition is eating scientifically, limiting foods. easily increases blood pressure below.
White rice Providing a lot of carbohydrates can cause excess glucose when eaten too much. Unconsumed glucose is converted into fat, increasing triglycerides – a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis causes blood vessels to become narrow and less elastic, hindering blood circulation, forcing the heart to work harder, increasing the risk of high blood pressure.
Salt is the main cause of high blood pressure. When absorbing a lot of salt, high sodium levels in the blood cause the body to retain water to maintain balance, thereby creating pressure on blood vessel walls, leading to high blood pressure.
Refined sugar in carbonated drinks, candies, and soft drinks have the ability to increase blood pressure by promoting weight gain. Added sugar also has a direct impact on blood pressure, increasing only systolic and diastolic blood pressure indicators.
White bread and pasta are made from refined wheat flour, have a high glycemic index, and are low in fiber. High blood sugar levels and excess fat accumulated from eating these foods regularly can lead to high blood pressure.
Refined flour products such as white bread, sweet bread, cookies, cakes… cause an increase in body fat, affecting the heart, increasing the risk of high blood pressure. Replace refined starches with whole-wheat bread or whole-grain products to provide your body with more fiber.
You should add fatty fish and green vegetables to your daily menu to better control blood pressure. Photo: Dinh Dieu
Potato Contains high starch content that easily increases blood sugar after consumption. In addition to starch, potato dishes such as fried or mashed contain unhealthy fats that are not good for heart health. People who often have high blood pressure should replace white potatoes with sweet potatoes or green vegetables because they have a low glycemic index and are rich in fiber.
To effectively control blood pressure, Dr. Binh recommends that patients should prioritize green vegetables, whole grains (brown rice, barley, oats, corn) and protein from fish, beans, and seeds. Eating foods rich in potassium (bananas, radishes, oranges) helps eliminate excess sodium. Adding natural essences such as policosanol (GDL-5) from South American sugar cane pollen also contributes to regulating blood fat, supporting circulation, and naturally balancing blood pressure. Patients should drink enough water, limit stimulants such as alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. Regular health checks and taking medication as prescribed by your doctor help maintain stable blood pressure.