Hypertension, as a triggering factor for various cardiovascular diseases, has attracted widespread attention in terms of diet and treatment. If the diet of hypertensive patients is incorrect, it can lead to high blood pressure. Mild symptoms include dizziness, while severe cases can lead to stroke or sudden death. The consequences are very serious, so the diet for hypertension has always been a topic of concern. Let's take a look at some common misconceptions about the diet for hypertension.
1. Coffee is refreshing, so it's okay to drink more
With the continuous development of society, more and more people are starting to drink coffee every day to boost their spirits and improve work efficiency. However, coffee contains biologically active substances such as theophylline, theobromine, and caffeine.
Caffeine alone can raise blood pressure by 0.67-2.00 kPa (5-15 mmHg). Studies have shown that some people like to drink coffee when they are under emotional stress, but this is actually a wrong approach. People with a high risk of hypertension should avoid consuming caffeinated beverages when under high work pressure. In addition, people who have been drinking coffee for a long time may think that they have developed immunity to caffeine, but this is not the case. Research shows that after drinking a cup of coffee, blood pressure can remain elevated for up to 12 hours.
2. Chicken soup is good for nourishment, so it's better to drink more
It is okay for hypertensive patients to drink chicken soup in moderation, but excessive consumption is not advisable. Studies have shown that chicken soup can be consumed by people with high cholesterol, hypertension, poor kidney function, excessive uric acid, and gallbladder disease. However, excessive consumption can worsen the condition and be harmful to the body. Elderly patients, in particular, should drink chicken soup in moderation.
3. Drinking alcohol does not harm the body
Modern scholars believe that the alcohol content in liquor affects the synthesis of endogenous cholesterol in the liver, leading to an increase in plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels, causing atherosclerosis. It can also cause the deposition of myocardial fat, leading to enlarged heart, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. The amount of alcohol consumed is directly proportional to the increase in blood pressure. In other words, the more alcohol consumed, the higher the blood pressure. Drinking alcohol can raise blood pressure, stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, increase cardiac output, and indirectly increase the release of vasoconstrictive substances such as renin. Long-term alcohol consumption can cause damage to myocardial cells, leading to enlarged heart and cardiomyopathy. Therefore, it is not advisable for hypertensive patients to consume alcohol, especially in large amounts. Abstaining from alcohol is essential.
4. Not eating meat can reduce fat intake
Some hypertensive patients become vegetarians in order to reduce fat and cholesterol intake. While vegetarianism is good, if one only eats vegetables, it can lead to deficiencies in minerals such as zinc, iron, calcium, and iodine. Long-term refusal to eat meat can result in anemia, osteoporosis, and other conditions. Meat contains these substances and can compensate for the nutritional imbalances caused by a vegetarian diet.
Long-term vegetarianism also increases the level of "high half-cysteine" in the blood. Insufficient meat intake can lower the level of high-density lipoprotein in the blood, increasing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, hypertensive patients should have a balanced diet with a combination of meat and vegetables to ensure better quality of life.
5. Absolutely no eggs
Many people believe that patients with hypertension, heart disease, and cardiovascular diseases should not eat eggs. In fact, eggs have certain cardiac benefits and can lower blood pressure. Researchers have found that after entering the stomach, eggs generate proteins with the same principle as antihypertensive drugs when they come into contact with gastric enzymes. Fried eggs are particularly effective in preventing vasoconstriction. A 50g egg contains 340mg of cholesterol, which is not harmful to hypertensive patients with normal blood cholesterol levels. They can safely consume 3-4 eggs per week. However, for those with high blood cholesterol, especially those with hypertension combined with coronary heart disease, it is better to only eat egg whites and avoid the yolks.
6. Honey contains sugar, so it's better not to eat it
Honey mainly consists of glucose and fructose, and also contains small amounts of maltose, sucrose, dextrin, gum, nitrogen compounds, organic acids, iron, manganese, and other minerals. Honey is not only nutrient-rich but also helps to lubricate the intestines and promote bowel movements. Regular consumption of honey by hypertensive patients can treat constipation and reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular events caused by high blood pressure. When treating constipation, hypertensive patients can take a small amount of honey mixed with warm water in the morning and evening.
7. Green tea can lower blood pressure, so it's fine to drink more
A medical study found that drinking green tea can reduce the chances of developing hypertension. Drinking 120g of green tea every day for more than a year reduces the probability of developing hypertension by more than 40% compared to those who do not drink tea. This study has led many hypertensive patients to mistakenly believe that drinking green tea can lower blood pressure and that more is better. However, this belief is incorrect.
Hypertensive patients should consume tea in moderation and avoid drinking strong tea. Strong tea (tea brewed with less than 50g of boiling water per gram of tea leaves) contains a high level of theophylline, which can cause brain excitement, restlessness, insomnia, palpitations, and other discomforts, leading to an increase in blood pressure. In addition, green tea contains about 10% tannic acid, which not only combines with iron but also forms tannic acid protein with protein from food, making it difficult to digest and absorb. This can lead to constipation and increase blood pressure. It is best to drink tea with water at 80-85°C, not to brew it excessively or leave it for too long. Each serving should not be too concentrated. Hypertensive patients taking antihypertensive medication should preferably drink tea two to three hours after taking the medication to avoid affecting its effectiveness.
These are some common misconceptions that hypertensive patients often make, so it is important to pay attention to them in daily life and not to overlook their potential harm, which can lead to more serious consequences.
