Diet and Nutrition for Hypertension

High blood pressure is a very common disease that can have various causes. It can be caused by heart disease as well as kidney disease. However, the most common cause is atherosclerosis, also called hardening of the arteries, a condition in which blood vessels lose their elasticity. More specifically, calcification is initially a fatty condition, meaning that the amount of fats carried in the blood – called serum lipids – increases as a result.

High blood pressure even at a young age

Schematic diagram showing the anatomy and structure of the arteries and blood circulation in hypertension. Click to enlarge. However, this does not mean that high blood pressure is exclusively a symptom of old age. In recent years, the tendency to high blood pressure has also been observed in young people, from about the age of 15 upwards. Heart and kidney diseases rarely play a role. The cause is usually the reaction of the central nervous system to environmental factors. Statistically, it has been proven that the numbers of young people suffering from high blood pressure are highest in England and America. According to Pavlov’s theory, all processes in the human and animal body can be influenced by the central nervous system and thus can be controlled to a large extent. It is obvious that life insecurity, poverty, violence and fear make nervous blood pressure increases more frequent. Excessively high blood pressure – including that caused by the central nervous system – promotes the development of arteriosclerosis in all organs of the human body. Both the early onset of incapacity to work and the relatively high mortality rate from this disease give reason to exploit all possible means to combat it.

Diet and nutrition in hypertension

In addition to the medical, especially the medicinal measures, the early correct change of lifestyle and an aligned healthy diet are among the possibilities to favorably influence or even prevent high blood pressure. This article will therefore point out the most important dietary measures. The diet must be structured according to the following principles: low in common salt, restriction of crude protein, carbohydrates and fats (in relation to the total number of calories), while at the same time being rich in vitamins and minerals. Since table salt is present in all foods, but in varying amounts, it will therefore be necessary to learn which foods to avoid at all costs. So especially salted meat, bacon, Kassler, all marinated and smoked fish, such as kippers and canned fish, as well as broth and meat soups. Almost all cheeses, salted butter, salted bread, sauerkraut and pickled cucumbers. All commercial meat and vegetable salads, boiled potatoes and milk in larger quantities, as these contain relatively large amounts of cooking salt. Therefore, salt should not be added when preparing food. Even table salt substitutes, which are usually labeled as diet salt, should be avoided if possible.

Cooking without salt

How can the food now nevertheless be made tasty? That’s where the kitchen herbs have to help: Parsley, dill, chives, savory and marjoram, onions and horseradish. Spices, such as cloves, paprika, nutmeg, pepper, bay leaf, spice seeds, cinnamon and vanilla, may also be taken. To further improve the taste, it is allowed to fry and roast, because this makes the saltiness not felt so strongly. Acidifying some dishes with vinegar or lemon and adding sweet and sour flavors are also recommended. If one cannot do without the taste of salt at all, a small amount of diet salt may be used when preparing meat and potato dishes. It should be noted, however, that even diet salt is not free of table salt, and the sodium contained in table salt has a decisive influence on high blood pressure, since sodium is a strong water-binding agent. The more salt a person ingests, the more water the organism retains, a process that can result in swelling of the legs and body.

Is it allowed to eat fatty foods with high blood pressure?

The most important part of the diet is the vegetables. Vegetables have a high content of potassium, which is, in a sense, the antagonist of sodium. The protein content in food should not exceed 80 grams of raw protein daily. This corresponds to an amount of meat and fish, which is actually eaten on average.However, lean varieties should be used if possible. Sausages are not recommended because of their relatively high hidden fat content (often 60 to 70 percent) and high salt content. Eggs can be eaten, but should not appear too frequently in the menu or on the breakfast table. All types of preparation are allowed. Since milk, as already mentioned, contains a relatively large amount of salt in addition to protein (one liter contains about 1.6 grams), no more than a quarter liter should be used daily, even as soured milk, yogurt or buttermilk. Because fat is of great importance in all vascular diseases, the total daily amount should not exceed 50 to 70 grams. Here, butter should only have a proportion of 10 to 20 grams and should be used for spreading one or two slices of bread. For cooking, frying and dressing salads, it is recommended to use the full oil varieties, which are produced cold-pressed. They contain a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, which are believed to have increased importance in the fight against atherosclerosis.

Rice diet

The best protein, salt and fat restriction is achieved with a rice diet. This diet consists of 250 to 400 grams of rice. 150 grams of honey and from fruit, raw or cooked. The rice is cooked in water, in fruit juice or with the addition of fruit. You can also use soaked dried fruit, but not preserved fruit if possible. The specified amount must now be distributed throughout the day. The possibility of variation is in strict form only by changing the types of fruit. If the implementation is not so strict, vegetables can be used instead of fruit, of course also as raw vegetables. This rice diet can be used for lowering blood pressure for a few days, but also for a whole series of months, with success. For the hypertensive person, in addition to protein, salt and fat restriction, it is important to keep fluid intake within limits, because the heart and circulation should not be unnecessarily stressed. However, the reduction of fluid intake does not only concern the amount of drinking, but also the soups. One will have to impose oneself in this regard clearly restrictions and may enjoy only very rarely once a pre-soup. However, if you stick to reducing the amount of salt, it is not at all difficult to reduce the total liquid intake, as you will feel less thirsty. The consumption of fruit and fruit-based drinks is highly recommended, because they quench thirst and at the same time are sources of minerals and vitamins. Drinks should be enjoyed in the form of fresh juices made from vegetables and fruits. Small amounts of mineral waters are considered if they do not contain salt. Wine, coffee and tea should be drunk only with the consent of the doctor.

Eat plenty of vegetables

The most important part of the diet is the vegetables, because even the carbohydrates, such as bread, potatoes and pasta, must be enjoyed only modestly. The vegetables have a high content of potassium, which is, in a sense, the antagonist of sodium. It leads to the dehydration of the body and thus helps to lower blood pressure. Of course, it is best to eat the vegetables raw, but then they must be well chopped, so as not to overload the stomach and intestines. All types of vegetables can be used. It is best to steam them, as this preserves the flavors best. This diet makes some demands on a person’s willpower and discipline. In order to carry it out successfully, one should always sit down at a very nicely set table and eat with peace and leisure, because in the treatment of hypertension these factors play an important role. The interaction of these things creates a protective mechanism for the sick person, especially when eating, which helps restore the functions of the heart and circulation.