About 80 percent of the sodium in American diets comes from processed foods. Watch the sugar. Sugar may be as big a villain in raising blood pressure as salt, says Harry G. Preuss, M.D., of Georgetown University Medical School. And the typical American diet, packed with both salt and sugar, is worst of all, he says. In animal studies, he finds salt and sugar together boost blood pressure more than either alone.
Sugar appears to disrupt the metabolism of insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood pressure.
Also, heavy consumption of sugar induces salt and water retention. They work in animals, says Preuss, who takes 500 micrograms of chromium daily. U.S. Department of Agriculture experts recommend 100 to 200mcg daily to help regulate insulin and blood sugar in normal people. Diabetics can benefit from 1,000mcg. Load up on fruits and vegetables.