High Blood Pressure, It’s Not WHAT You Eat But WHERE

Forget the old saying, ‘You are what you eat.’
It turns out that ‘You are where you eat!’

This is according to research done at Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School.

In one of the first attempts to link eating out and high blood pressure, the researchers brought awareness to the high salt and calorie content of foods offered in hotels and restaurants.

For the study, 501 participants (university-going adults aged between 18 and 40 years) were studied. The researchers collected data on blood pressure readings, body mass index, and lifestyle habit questions- like how often they frequented restaurants/hotels.

They found that:

• 27.4% of the total study group had pre-hypertension.
• Of the 501 participants, 38% had at least 12 meals away from home.
• Those who had pre-hypertension or hypertension were more likely to eat away from home.
• Even one extra meal outside home raised the odds of pre-hypertension by 6%.

The usual culprits are the nutrient-low and calorie-high ingredients used in most foods prepared in hotels and restaurants. A single meal can easily be a 1,000 to 1,500 calorie bomb, and regularly eating out can contribute to weight gain. Most foods also have a generous helping (read it ‘heaping’) of salt, which doesn’t help.

Who knows, even the noisy din and the general commotion in the restaurants and hotels during peak hours might also contribute to an increase in blood pressure.

There are ways to make your restaurant meals a healthier option – try including salads, skip fries, and opt for vegees as a side for a healthier meal.

But whether or not you eat out frequently, you can bring your blood pressure below 120/80 – starting today. All you need are these 3 easy exercises…