The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and American Heart Association refer to hypertension as also being high blood pressure. This occurs when blood pressure, the force pushing against the body's artery walls when the heart is contracting and when the heart is at rest, reaches or exceeds a value of 140/90. The measure at the top is called systolic pressure and is the pressure as the heart beats, whereas the measure at the bottom is diastolic pressure and is the pressure as the heart relaxes between beats according to the NHLB and AHA. Thus, hypertension can be induced by many factors, one of which is dietary food intake according to the AHA.
Knowing the Basics
Diet-induced hypertension is a serious health issue, according to the AHA. This can occur when food proportions and food types are not regulated. If the diet isn't including foods from the carbohydrate, protein and fat groups, then the body isn't receiving the proper daily vitamins and nutrients it needs to maintain health. The recommended daily caloric proportions of food types is 45 to 65 percent carbohydrates, 10 to 35 percent proteins and 20 to 35 percent fats, according to MayoClinic.com.
Bad Carbohydrates
The type of carbohydrate that is known to negatively affect blood pressure health is characterized as being simple and high on the glycemic index. These carbs elevate and cause unstable blood pressure readings because they cause rapid fluctuations in blood sugar and insulin levels due to rapid digestion. Foods shown to cause increases in blood pressure levels are white bread, instant rice, starchy potatoes, candy and baked goods according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
Bad Proteins
Protein ingestion that is heavily based on animal red meat and whole dairy products are risk factors for hypertension. Proteins of this nature are high in fat content as well as saturated fat content. Recommended proteins that should be left of a diet menu for hypertension is red meat, whole dairy, non-fish seafood, tropical fruit oils, egg yolks and dark non-skinless meat chicken, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
Bad Fats
Saturated and trans fats are significant risk factors for hypertension, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. These fat types disrupt cell functioning, inflammatory response and hormone balance causing blood pressure regulating mechanisms to become compromised. Foods rich in these two types of fat that should not be included in a diet on a regular basis are red meat, dark meat non-skinless chicken, baked goods, non-fish seafood, processed foods, egg yolks, whole dairy, coconut oil, bacon, butter and lard.
Bad Salt
Regular daily overconsumption of salt in a diet is a significant risk factor hypertension. It not only causes a rise and maintenance of high blood pressure, but also restricts the effectiveness of anti-hypertensive medications meant to lower high blood pressure according to The Harvard School of Public Health. Thus, if salt intake is greater than a range of 1,500 to 2,300 milligrams per day on a normal basis, this is a serious risk for high blood pressure according to The Harvard School of Public Health.
References
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: What Is Blood Pressure?
- American Heart Association: Understanding Blood Pressure Readings
- The Harvard School of Public Health: The Nutrition Source Carbohydrates
- American Heart Association: High-salt diet contributes to resistance to blood pressure medications
- Mayo Clinic: Dietary fats: Know which types to choose
- Mayo Clinic: Nutrition and healthy eating
