The British Heart Foundation recommends that people eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day to keep their hearts healthy. Blood pressure High blood pressure is a risk factor for coronary heart disease. It can be caused by genetic conditions, but diet is also thought to play a big part. People who are overweight, drink a lot of alcohol, smoke, take little exercise and eat a lot of salt are particularly likely to have high blood pressure. Cutting down salt levels can be difficult because many foods and drinks contain it.
Bread is the single largest source of dietary salt.
Processed food, such as prepared meals, are also high in salt. The British Heart Foundation advises against adding any extra salt to food since most already contains fairly high quantities. A recent study in The Lancet showed that many people could not tell the difference between high and low salt foods. The food manufacturers' argument against lowering salt content in food has always been that people like the taste. Other studies suggest that foods which are high in minerals like potassium, such as bananas and potatoes, may also play a role in lowering blood pressure.