The Role of Diet in High Blood Pressure

What we eat plays a large role in preventing and treating high blood pressure.

Maintain a healthy weight:People who are overweight are two to six times more likely to develop high blood pressure than people who are not.

Reduce your salt intake:Even a modest reduction in salt consumption may prove beneficial in lowering your blood pressure.

Limit alcohol consumption:Having three drinks a day is linked to an increase in blood pressure.

Increase potassium intake:Most fruits and vegetables are high in potassium. A few studies have shown that people with a low potassium intake have a higher risk of high blood pressure.

Drink more milk:It appears that increasing calcium intake may help lower blood pressure, especially for people who rarely consume milk.

Eat plenty of sea food: The omega-three fatty acids found in saltwater fish appear to have a role in lowering blood pressure.

Stick to a DASH diet plan:The DASH plan encourages consumption of more fruits and vegetables than normally recommended; at least eight servings a day are needed for results.