Watching sodium? Remember potassium, too.
Sodium has long been singled out for its relationship to high blood pressure. But many experts these days emphasize the importance of the sodium-potassium balance, Townsend said.
Potassium helps regulate blood flow. And if you’re eating a lot of processed foods, you’re probably getting too much of the former and not enough of the latter, Nesbitt said.
The DASH or Mediterranean diets offer a healthy balance of nutrients. Potassium-rich foods include bananas, sweet potatoes and low-fat dairy products.
Little changes can make a big difference.
For decades, Townsend said, researchers have known the most important predictor of blood pressure when you’re older is excess weight.
