A new area of interest is the relationship between calcium and high blood pressure. People with a low calcium intake seem to be at increased risk for hypertension. For adults, this is 1,000 mg per day. For sodium-sensitive people, reducing sodium is a prudent approach to reducing the risk of hypertension. The recommendation for daily sodium intake is 1,100 to 3,300 mg a day.
Most people consume far greater amounts.
People who are being treated for hypertension and who are on diuretics or other medications often lose potassium. Eat potassium-rich foods every day. Maintaining a reasonable weight is important to minimize the risk of several major diseases. For optimal health, eat a variety of foods each day and meet vitamin and mineral recommendations. Use the following table to assess calorie, calcium and potassium content of foods.