So you should be able to continue to have drinks that contain caffeine, unless you are sensitive to it or have heart disease and your doctor tells you not to have any. These supplements are still being studied. Other than that, most people should get all the nutrients they need from what they eat. Potassium - Getting too little potassium in the diet may make blood pressure rise. Eating foods rich in potassium appears to keep people from developing high blood pressure.
Most people get enough potassium in their foods.
Some good sources, shown in the box on the opposite page, are various fruits, vegetables, dairy foods, and fish. Calcium - Some populations with low intakes of calcium have more high blood pressure. You should try to get 800-1,200 milligrams of calcium each day. Good sources are diary foods such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. Be sure to choose skim or low fat varieties.