If you have high blood pressure you need to seek medical advice. However, there are some steps you can take to reduce the problem too.
The single biggest dietary factor in causing hypertension (high blood pressure) is salt. Most of us eat far too much salt; we only need 6g (about a teaspoonful) per day. If you check the labels on processed food, over 1g salt or sodium per 100g is a lot; about 0.25g is OK.
The other main thing is to eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day (a portion is about a tablespoonful.) Fruit is especially good because it usually has a high potassium content.
Alcohol can raise blood pressure, so it's best to drink no more than one or two units a day.
The www.bpassoc.org.uk target="blank">blood pressure association can give you an overview of the illness, as well as more information about diet.
The single biggest dietary factor in causing hypertension (high blood pressure) is salt. Most of us eat far too much salt; we only need 6g (about a teaspoonful) per day. If you check the labels on processed food, over 1g salt or sodium per 100g is a lot; about 0.25g is OK.
The other main thing is to eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day (a portion is about a tablespoonful.) Fruit is especially good because it usually has a high potassium content.
Alcohol can raise blood pressure, so it's best to drink no more than one or two units a day.
The www.bpassoc.org.uk target="blank">blood pressure association can give you an overview of the illness, as well as more information about diet.
