Anyone else ever see a remarkable drop in BP after cutting sodium?

[LuvOrlando]

Wasn't feeling well after surgery in June so I cut all snacks, baked goods (not that I had a lot but it went to zero) and switched to plain potatoes and rice for carbs, only have 1/4 caffeine in my coffee, stopped cooking with salt and my BP is now what it was before kids in a few months, weight dropping too.

People always said wheat, baked goods and salt were bad but I sort of gave it a nod and ignored and now I'm just floored, anyone else ever experience such an abrupt change? Did everything stay better?

 

[PollyannaMom]

I haven't monitored my blood pressure specifically, but I definitely notice a difference in how I feel when I've been having too much salt or too many sweets.

So I say yes, it can make a difference quickly.

 

[Christine]

When I exercise and eat properly (both), I've noticed a 10 point drop in my diastolic which is a lot considering my BP isn't really high to begin with. There were times that I lost weight without exercise and that does it also. But I never know if it's the weight loss or the reduction in junk (or both) that is the cause.

 

[GoingSince1990]

Congrats. I’m guessing some of the “snacks” included ultraprocessed food (where the ingredients list reads like a chemistry lab); cutting this out will do you a lot of good.

 

[nw6675]

When we travel long distances by car, we used to the normal "grab and go" at a fast food restaurant. My feet and ankles would be huge by the time we got where we were going and I felt horrible. When we changed to packing a sandwich, fruit, etc. I have no swelling and feel wonderful.

I can definitely tell when I've eaten too much salt and my BP is high. I know "they" say you don't normally "feel" hypertension, but I always have felt mine when it has gone higher.

ETA: no joke - a Denny's "brisket melt" ad just popped up below my post LOL

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Yes, Been teaching it for years! High sodium causes fluid retention. Unfortunately many products in our society today are loaded with sodium. And most people eat more than one serving [size] of something. Freshly cooked without sodium is the best way to avoid it. I feel awful for a day or two if I eat something really high in sodium.

 

[kymom99]

My husband is off his bp meds after being told to adopt a wheat free diet due to food allergies. He still loads up on salt.

 

[disneychrista]

I’d say that it is an expected result. Isn’t sodium one of the things they tell you to reduce when you have high blood pressure?

 

[DLgal]

Wasn't feeling well after surgery in June so I cut all snacks, baked goods (not that I had a lot but it went to zero) and switched to plain potatoes and rice for carbs, only have 1/4 caffeine in my coffee, stopped cooking with salt and my BP is now what it was before kids in a few months, weight dropping too.

People always said wheat, baked goods and salt were bad but I sort of gave it a nod and ignored and now I'm just floored, anyone else ever experience such an abrupt change? Did everything stay better?

It's largely the lack of caffeine and healthier carbs that is lowering your blood pressure. One cup of coffee can raise your blood pressure substantially. And the processed carbs make your body hold onto water which translates to higher blood pressure (which is also what salt does, but it happens faster and more with carbs that turn into sugar quickly).

I have normal/low blood pressure and eat a TON of salt. The only thing that raises it up is anxiety and caffeine.

I know everyone is different, but there isn't really a clear cut consensus on the sodium/blood pressure connection.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317099

 

[LuvOrlando]

When I say cutting caffeine I went from one single half caf normal dishes set mug in the morning to 1/4 caf in the morning and home made french press so not a giant dip, not enough alone to explain it.


Interesting to see other people notice it too.

 

[LuvOrlando]

My husband is off his bp meds after being told to adopt a wheat free diet due to food allergies. He still loads up on salt.

Wheat products do seem to be part of it, not really sure how though, I was tested & have no allergies although there are way more chemicals in 2 slices of bread, cereal etc. than a potato or a cup of rice.

 

[kymom99]

Wheat products do seem to be part of it, not really sure how though, I was tested & have no allergies although there are way more chemicals in 2 slices of bread, cereal etc. than a potato or a cup of rice.

Yes I think it’s the overprocessed wheat. My husband was a strictly soft white bread eater.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

From The American Heart Association

Why Should I Limit My Sodium?

https://www.heart.org/-/media/files/health-topics/answers-by-heart/why-should-i-limit-sodium.pdf

 

[DLgal]

Wheat products do seem to be part of it, not really sure how though, I was tested & have no allergies although there are way more chemicals in 2 slices of bread, cereal etc. than a potato or a cup of rice.

Have you noticed this when you eat fresh bread with only basic ingredients?

 

[tvguy]

Seems every Doctor I have ever had gave me the "low salt diet" speech.
Then they check my ankles, I have chicken legs, so no swelling. Then they check my blood work, and going back 10 years my Blood Sodium level has been flagged as "LOW".
We fix most of our meals from scratch at home, and have never salted our food. Don't even had a salt shaker on the table. So, no, if I seat a salty meal out, it doesn't seem to impact my BP.
I changed blood pressure medicines about a month ago. The meds I was taking were causing problems with my kidneys. I'm taking less medicine now, and finally getting my BP below 120/70. I guess I take after my mom. She went through about a dozen before she found one that didn't have nasty side effects or actually RAISE her BP.

 

[RamblingMad]

I can cut my BP simply by cutting out caffeine completely. I feel great, but it's much harder to focus. There is a reason why corporate offices supply free coffee. It definitely makes you more productive.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Yes I think it’s the overprocessed wheat. My husband was a strictly soft white bread eater.

I believe what you’re talking about are the benefits of a DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet.

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/diet-reviews/dash-diet/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-...ealthy-eating/in-depth/dash-diet/art-20048456

 

[PollyannaMom]

ETA: no joke - a Denny's "brisket melt" ad just popped up below my post LOL

 

[kymom99]

I believe what you’re talking about are the benefits of a DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet.

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/diet-reviews/dash-diet/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-...ealthy-eating/in-depth/dash-diet/art-20048456

In his case, allergies to wheat, nuts, and/or shrimp were causing eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). His esophagus swelled with eosinophil making food get stuck. He actually ended up in the ER one time and required a scope to push the food through. Doctors told him to eliminate the 3 foods from his diet. The positive biproduct was the lower blood pressure.

He later gave up mt. Dew because he got one too many kidney stones. Also had a positive effect on his health.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

In his case, allergies to wheat, nuts, and/or shrimp were causing eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). His esophagus swelled with eosinophil making food get stuck. He actually ended up in the ER one time and required a scope to push the food through. Doctors told him to eliminate the 3 foods from his diet. The positive biproduct was the lower blood pressure.

He later gave up mt. Dew because he got one too many kidney stones. Also had a positive effect on his health.

Ok I though you were just talking about overprocessed foods. I’m glad that worked for him!