Source: pinkvilla.com
High blood pressure aka hypertension is one of the leading preventable causes of early deaths across the world. More than 1.5 billion worldwide are suffering from the same. High blood pressure is when the pressure of the circulating blood against the arteries is higher than the normal. If not controlled, one can also suffer from heart complications, strokes, kidney, eyes, and brain disorders. Common causes of high blood pressure are genetics, obesity, poor lifestyle, high levels of junk food consumption, sleep apnea and no physical activity among others. The normal BP is around 120/80 mm Hg. So, if your reading is between 120/80 mm Hg and 139/89 mm Hg then you are at the risk of developing hypertension. If the readings are more than 140/90 mm Hg then you are having high BP.
As per the latest study, people who live in coastal regions in Bangladesh showed lower BP when they consumed drinking water which had higher levels of salinity. Yes, that’s right! As we know that higher salinity will, of course, have more sodium which leads to higher BP, however, it also has more calcium and magnesium as well.
As per one of the studies, people who drank the water of mild or moderate level salinity had more sodium in their urine than people who drank freshwater of low salinity. However, the calcium and magnesium levels of the water had shown lower levels of systolic and diastolic pressure as the mineral counteract the sodium, as mentioned earlier. However, one of the researchers confirmed that the studies didn’t show that the addition of calcium and magnesium to drinking water lowers BP or not.
As per AHA, people should get vitamins and minerals via their diet. Unfortunately, many of us are deficient when it comes to minerals and vitamins as a healthy diet is followed by few. Ideally, one should get adequate amounts of minerals and vitamins on a daily basis. Again, as per the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, they don’t recommend the use of supplements as a way to protect against diseases.
Speaking of how one can curb or prevent hypertension, one should increase the intake of potassium-rich food items, include physical activity on a daily basis, weight management, stress management, reduce the consumption of sodium-rich foodstuffs, alcohol, and smoking as well.