Hypertension is a common cardiovascular disease that seriously threatens the lives and health of patients. For people with high blood pressure, long-term use of antihypertensive drugs is the key to controlling blood pressure. However, if you do not pay attention to the intake of some foods while taking antihypertensive drugs, it may affect the efficacy of antihypertensive drugs and even lead to the occurrence of adverse reactions. Here are six foods to stay away from while taking blood pressure medication.
Grapefruit is a nutritious fruit that is rich in nutrients such as vitamin C and flavonoids. However, the furanocoumarin in grapefruit inhibits the activity of the hepatic CYP3A4 enzyme, which may lead to changes in the blood concentration and efficacy of the drug. Therefore, when taking blood pressure medication, you should try to avoid grapefruit, especially grapefruit juice and grape juice.
Salt is a condiment and an essential nutrient for the human body. However, excessive salt intake can increase blood pressure, which can affect the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs. It is recommended that adults limit their salt intake to less than six grams per day, and those with high blood pressure should limit it to less than five grams more strictly. When consuming food, you should pay attention to the salt content of the food and choose low-salt foods as much as possible.
High-cholesterol foods include pork liver, organ meats, egg yolks, etc. Long-term intake of high-cholesterol foods can increase the amount of cholesterol in the body and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Foods containing tyramine, such as pork liver, tofu, etc., should be avoided while taking antihypertensive drugs, as these foods can weaken the antihypertensive effect of antihypertensive drugs.
High-sugar foods include sweets, desserts, drinks, etc. Long-term intake of high-sugar foods can lead to diseases such as obesity and diabetes. When taking antihypertensive medications, the intake of high-sugar foods should be minimized to prevent blood sugar fluctuations from adversely affecting blood pressure.
Alcoholic beverages include beer, liquor, wine, etc. Alcohol and alcoholic beverages should be avoided while taking antihypertensive drugs to prevent excessive drop in blood pressure or shock. Alcohol dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, which can affect the effectiveness of blood pressure medications.
Milk is a nutritious beverage that is rich in protein, calcium, and other nutrients. However, the tyramine in milk can affect the efficacy of antihypertensive drugs, especially in patients taking diuretic antihypertensive drugs. Therefore, when taking antihypertensive medications, you should try to avoid drinking milk, or choose milk that is low in tyramine.