Hypertension, as a common chronic disease, has the characteristics of long treatment schedule and multiple complications. We all know that hypertension cannot be cured, and blood pressure can only be controlled through medication and diet and exercise. Now let's take a look at what hypertension patients need to pay attention to in their diet.
1. Control salt intake
Hypertensive patients should have a light diet and avoid excessive salt intake. Because a high-salt diet can cause or worsen hypertension, the ideal state for hypertensive patients or those at risk of hypertension is to control the salt intake below 6 grams per day. However, it is difficult to put this into practice. We have found in clinical observations that at least 50% of hypertensive patients have salt-sensitive hypertension. Limiting the intake of salt in the diet and increasing the excretion of urinary sodium can effectively reduce blood pressure. These facts all indicate that there is a certain inherent connection between high sodium content in the body and hypertension. Therefore, it is recommended in clinical practice to appropriately restrict salt intake for hypertensive patients.
2. Pay attention to the "quality" and "quantity" of oil
"Quality" means using high-quality oil. Because an appropriate intake of monounsaturated fatty acids can lower cholesterol and blood pressure, hypertensive patients should choose oils with a high content of monounsaturated fatty acids, such as olive oil and camellia seed oil.
"Quantity" means controlling the amount of oil consumed. Even the best oil becomes fat when consumed excessively, so hypertensive patients must control their oil intake. The recommended daily oil consumption should not exceed 30 grams. Some oils have certain health benefits, such as corn oil, which contains a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids and can lower cholesterol. In addition, nuts such as walnuts and macadamia nuts also have certain benefits for health, so hypertensive patients can consume them in moderation.
3. Eat less foods with excessive fat
Protein is also an essential part of our nutritional needs and is indispensable in our daily lives. For hypertensive patients, protein can be obtained from both animal and plant sources. Animal proteins include meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Among them, fish is the preferred choice because it is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which can lower blood lipids and blood pressure to some extent. However, it is advisable to avoid eating fish skin when consuming fish. Additionally, skinless chicken is also a good choice because the fat content in chicken skin is 300 times higher than that in the meat. It is not recommended to consume too much beef, as beef has a fat content of over 40% despite being considered lean meat.
4. Limit sugar intake
Since 20%-40% of hypertensive patients have diabetes, it is essential to limit sugar intake for hypertensive patients. To prevent the development of diabetes, hypertensive patients can choose low-sugar fruits such as cherries, plums, and grapefruits.
The above are the dietary considerations for hypertensive patients. Due to the multiple complications of hypertension, many related diseases require dietary restrictions. In such cases, a well-balanced diet becomes particularly important.
