According to the National Institutes of Health and Colorado State University, hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects one in four adults. In stage one of hypertension, the systolic is between 140 and 159 and the diastolic is between 90 and 99. When hypertension enters stage two, systolic becomes equal or greater than 160 and the diastolic becomes equal or less than 100. However, monitoring calories and intake can help control hypertension.
Sodium
High levels of sodium have been linked to hypertension. According to Colorado State University, table salt, which is used in cooking, is 40% sodium; one teaspoon of salt contains 2,000 mg of sodium. The recommended consumption of sodium for patients with hypertension is between 1,500 mg to 2,300 mg a day.
Potassium
Potassium levels are related to blood pressure---potassium regulates water balance. Colorado State University recommends increasing levels of potassium through potassium-rich food and supplements.
Calcium
Calcium is also important in reducing high blood pressure, since low calcium can increase an individual's risk of hypertension. Hypertension patients should consume 1,000 mg of calcium a day or 1,200 mg if they are over 50 years old.
DASH Diet
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH diet, is recommended by the American Heart Association and the National Cancer Institute for hypertension patients. The diet lowers intake of sodium and increases intake of calcium and potassium. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, the DASH diet consists of: seven to eight daily servings of grain; four to five daily servings each of fruits and vegetables; two to three daily servings of low-fat or fat-free milk; two or less daily servings of meat, poultry and fish and four to five weekly servings of nuts, seeds and beans. Research on the DASH diet published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that patients who followed the diet had lower blood pressure after 8 weeks.
