• There appears to be a link between alcohol and high blood pressure. Withdrawal of alcohol from someone who is used to drinking produces a rise in blood pressure before there is a fall. The re-introduction of alcohol then produces a rise in pressure within a few days. It is best to avoid alcohol altogether, if you have high blood pressure.
• Saturated fats may play a part. Research in Finland suggests that reducing the ratio of saturated to polyunsaturated fats in the diet may reduce blood pressure. This is independent of the effects on cholesterol and unrelated to dietary salt intake.
• There are several studies which suggest that the Pill causes a small but significant rise in blood pressure. It probably makes sense to use another method of contraception if you are at all worried about your blood pressure, if there is a history of blood pressure in your immediate family, or if you are over 35.
• Lead and cadmium are dangerous to those who work with them. They should be avoided in the workplace whenever possible.
• One of the main features of modern food processing has been to reduce the amount of potassium we consume. Cooking vegetables in large volumes of water also reduces their potassium content and the adding of salt during cooking does the same. Giving potassium to people with normal blood pressure reduces the blood pressure. It is also well proven that vegetarians (who consume more potassium than the rest of the population) have lower blood pressures than do omnivores. It thus seems sensible, if you have high blood pressure, to include potassium-rich foods in your diet and to cook carefully so as to retain the potassium you buy. Also, restrict salt intake to help the potassium do its job.
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