High blood pressure is a serious health problem because it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other life-threatening conditions. While there are many ways to lower high blood pressure, such as exercise and stress reduction, diet also plays an important role in blood pressure management.
The wrong types of food can cause higher than desirable results on the blood pressure scale. Therefore, knowing which types of meat to limit or avoid can be very beneficial for maintaining healthy blood pressure and, more importantly, overall body health. In this article, we’re going to look at five different meats that should be avoided if you want to keep your blood pressure under control.
In France, it is the pork that is acclaimed on the plates. According to the latest figures published in 2021, following a continuous decline for two years, pork consumption is on the rise once more with an increase of 1.3% over one year, thus reaching 2.144 million tonnes of carcass equivalent in 2021. This consumption is estimated at 31.5 kg carcass equivalent per capita in 2020.
Deli meats make up regarding 75% of purchases, while unprocessed cuts of meat make up only 25%. It should also be noted that pork imports increased by 8.6% over one year and now represent 28% of total consumption.
5 meats to avoid for people with high blood pressure.
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The bacon :
Bacon is one of the most popular breakfast meats, but it’s high in salt and saturated fat. A single slice of bacon contains regarding 150 mg of sodium, which is 10% of the recommended daily intake. In addition, bacon also contains nitrites and nitrates which are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Le hot-dog :
Hot dogs are also high in salt and saturated fat. A hot dog sausage contains regarding 500 mg of sodium, which is almost a third of the recommended daily intake. Also, hot dogs often contain additives such as dyes and preservatives that can be harmful to health, especially for people with high blood pressure.
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Cooked meats :
Deli meats such as ham, bologna and sausage are similarly high in salt and saturated fat. A 100g slice of ham contains regarding 1203mg of sodium, more than half the recommended daily intake. Deli meats also contain nitrites and nitrates, making them a food to avoid for people with high blood pressure.
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The salami:
Salami is a meat that contains a lot of sodium. In fact, 100 g of salami contain approximately 1700 mg of sodium. This high sodium level may contribute to increased blood pressure in people who consume it regularly. For comparison, the recommended daily sodium intake for an adult is 1500 mg per day.
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The pie:
The pâté is also high in salt. A portion of 100 g of pâté is estimated at 627 mg of sodium by ANSES. In addition to contributing to increased blood pressure, sodium can also lead to problems with water retention and heart health.
According to the Heart Research Institute UK, managing the recommended daily allowance of sodium is not enough!
It’s no secret that the sodium in salt and other foods is an essential electrolyte for the daily functioning of our body. However, excessive consumption has long been associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure, which can cause serious health problems. But, it is important to note that the effect of certain nutrients on blood pressure is often misunderstood. There are indeed other nutritional factors that can play a key role in blood pressure regulation and are important to consider when trying to reduce this risk through dietary changes.
Potassium and calcium have been proven to have beneficial effects on our blood pressure.
Indeed, research has shown that regular consumption of potassium, especially from natural foods such as fruits and vegetables, helps reduce blood pressure in people with and without hypertension. Potassium is also essential for the proper functioning of our muscles and helps relax the walls of our blood vessels. This explains why potassium consumption can lower blood pressure.
Similarly, the crucial role of calcium for the health of our bones is known to all. However, very few suspect the influence of calcium on the regulation of blood pressure. Indeed, this nutrient helps the blood vessels to contract and relax, thus ensuring a good balance of blood pressure. Recent studies have shown that increased calcium intake contributes to lower blood pressure, whether in people with hypertension or not. This finding is all the more crucial for children and young adults, as blood pressure in childhood may be related to blood pressure in adulthood.
In summary, it is important to consider our diet as a whole. Nutrients interact with each other and some are particularly effective in reducing blood pressure. This is particularly the case with the combination of potassium and calcium, which have the ability to increase the excretion and elimination of sodium through the urine. By reducing our sodium intake and increasing our potassium and calcium intake, we can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
