Eating Fast is Silently Increasing Blood Pressure, Says Expert

News Desk, News Nation 360 : Convenience meals have become a reliable ally in today's hectic society. Fast food options, packed snacks, frozen dinners, and ready-to-eat meals are all made to fit into our hectic schedules. However, excessive sodium—a primary contributor to hypertension, or high blood pressure—hides beneath their allure. Often referred to as the "silent killer," hypertension can grow without any symptoms and cause subtle harm to the kidneys, heart, and brain. Dr Satrajit Samanta, Consultant, Interventional Cardiologist, Narayana Hospital, Barasat, stated that many individuals are unaware of how much convenience food contributes to this expanding health problem. Processed food has high amounts of sodium added to it to improve taste, maintain freshness, and increase shelf life, with the unintended consequence of excessive intake that takes a major toll on health. More than 70% of the sodium consumed is already present in foods purchased, so people end up consuming two to three times the amount recommended per day, which paves the way for increased blood pressure. This extra sodium causes the body to hold onto water, raising blood pressure and putting a strain on the arteries and heart, which over time cause hardened and narrowed arteries and chronically elevated blood pressure. Left untreated, high blood pressure raises the risk for heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease, frequently without obvious symptoms. Surprisingly, sodium is found in foods that are part of everyday diets, such as bread, cereals, canned vegetables, deli meats, and even some "health foods," so keeping track of intake is challenging. But taking back control of one's diet by making small, aware adjustments can be effective; choosing fresh, minimally processed foods, home cooking, reading food labels, and employing flavour alternatives such as herbs, spices, lemon, or vinegar can organically curtail sodium. Even when eating out, opting for dressings on the side or grilled meals makes a difference. Hypertension builds up over time from continuous exposure to too much sodium and other lifestyle factors, but it can be avoided or reversed by making steady, thoughtful changes. Respecting long-term health over short-term convenience by exercising smart food choices matters most for safeguarding blood pressure and heart health.

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