Before reading this article, we sincerely invite you to click "Follow", so that you can access a series of high-quality health articles at any time, and at the same time facilitate discussion and sharing, thank you for your support!
Grapefruit, this sweet and sour fruit, has become the "natural enemy" of blood pressure medicine? Surprisingly, yuzu is just the tip of the iceberg. For patients who have been taking antihypertensive drugs for a long time, there are several other common foods that should be treated with caution.
As we all know, hypertension is a common chronic disease that poses a huge threat to human health. Many people with high blood pressure need to take antihypertensive drugs for a long time to control their blood pressure. However, what is less well known is that certain foods in the daily diet may affect the efficacy of blood pressure medications and even trigger adverse effects.
The "grudge" between grapefruit and blood pressure medicine
Grapefruit contains a lot of flavonoids, which inhibit the activity of an enzyme called CYP3A4 in the body. And this enzyme is precisely the key substance responsible for the metabolism of certain antihypertensive drugs. When the ingredients in grapefruit inhibit the activity of this enzyme, the concentration of antihypertensive drugs in the body will increase, which may cause low blood pressure and cause symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue.
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, grapefruit is cold, sweet and sour, and enters the lungs and stomach meridians. Although it has the effect of dissolving phlegm and relieving cough, moistening dryness, it is easy to hurt the spleen and stomach if overeating. Taking it with some antihypertensive drugs may affect the properties of the medicine and increase the burden on the spleen and stomach.
Licorice is not to be taken lightly
Licorice is a commonly used herb in traditional Chinese medicine, which has the effects of harmonizing medicinal properties and detoxification. However, licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid, which may affect the metabolism of certain antihypertensive drugs when consumed in large amounts over a long period of time. Glycyrrhizic acid inhibits the metabolism of adrenal corticosteroids, leading to sodium ion retention in the body, which affects the stability of blood pressure.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that licorice is flat in nature, sweet in taste, and returns to the heart, lungs, spleen, and stomach meridians. Although it has the effects of tonifying the spleen and invigorating qi, clearing away heat and detoxifying, and harmonizing various medicines, it is easy to promote dampness and phlegm generation after overeating, which affects the efficacy of antihypertensive drugs.
Foods high in potassium need to be controlled in moderation
Although high-potassium foods such as bananas and spinach are highly nutritious, they also need to be moderately controlled for patients taking certain blood pressure medications.
Some antihypertensive drugs, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and angiotensin receptor antagonists (ARBs), may affect the excretion of potassium in the body. If you eat a lot of high-potassium foods at the same time, it may cause high potassium levels in the body, causing arrhythmia and other problems.
Traditional Chinese medicine theory believes that eating too much cold food can easily hurt the spleen and stomach. Banana is cold, spinach is cold, and long-term consumption of large amounts may affect the function of the spleen and stomach, and then affect the absorption and metabolism of antihypertensive drugs.
Alcohol: The "Invisible Killer" of Blood Pressure Medication
The interaction of alcohol with blood pressure medications is complex and dangerous. On the one hand, alcohol itself has the effect of dilating blood vessels, which may enhance the effect of antihypertensive drugs, causing blood pressure to be too low. On the other hand, long-term alcohol consumption can affect liver function, which in turn affects the metabolism of antihypertensive drugs, which may reduce the effectiveness of drugs or increase side effects.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that alcohol is hot, and excessive drinking can easily damage the liver and kidneys and affect the flow of qi and blood. Taking it with antihypertensive drugs may not only affect the efficacy of the drug, but also increase the burden on the liver and kidneys.
The interaction of these foods with blood pressure medications is not absolute, and different blood pressure medications may have different conditions. During the period of taking the drug, the patient should follow the doctor's instructions and adjust the diet reasonably.
The "way of harmony" between blood pressure medicine and diet
In the face of these "taboos", how should patients with high blood pressure adjust their diet? Experts recommend the following strategies:
Eat a balanced diet: Ensure the intake of various nutrients and avoid picky eating.
Control salt intake: Keep your daily salt intake below 6 grams.
Increase your intake of dietary fiber: Eat more vegetables, fruits, and whole foods.
Moderate exercise: Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week.
Quit smoking and limit alcohol: Tobacco and alcohol can have adverse effects on blood pressure.
Regular work and rest: Get enough sleep to reduce stress.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the occurrence of hypertension is related to factors such as liver and kidney yin deficiency and phlegm stasis blockage. In addition to taking Western medicine to control blood pressure, you can also use some TCM conditioning methods:
Moxibustion Guan Yuan acupoint: It can warm and replenish kidney yang and regulate blood pressure.
Massage the temples: can unblock the meridians and relieve headaches.
Foot soaking: It can improve blood circulation and help lower blood pressure.
Diet: You can appropriately eat hawthorn, cassia seeds, mulberry leaves and other ingredients with antihypertensive effects.
These TCM conditioning methods should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor, and the medication should not be discontinued or reduced without authorization.
The "Art of Balance" Between Blood Pressure Medication and Diet
The treatment of hypertension is a long-term process that requires the joint efforts of patients, doctors, and families. While taking antihypertensive medications, it is equally important to adjust your diet reasonably. Patients should recognize that the relationship between blood pressure medication and diet is like a subtle "art of balance" that needs to be constantly adjusted and optimized.
Everyone's physical condition is different, and the response to medications and foods can also be different. Therefore, patients with high blood pressure should pay close attention to their body reactions, monitor their blood pressure regularly, and communicate with their doctors in a timely manner while taking medication. Only in this way can you find the most suitable balance point of "blood pressure medicine-diet" for yourself.
Patients with high blood pressure should be cautious about grapefruit, licorice, high-potassium foods and alcohol while taking antihypertensive drugs. At the same time, a healthy lifestyle should be cultivated, including a balanced diet, moderate exercise, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol. Integrative medicine can provide patients with more comprehensive health management.
Remember, managing high blood pressure is not just about taking medication, it's a lifestyle change that requires patience and perseverance. Only with perseverance can we truly achieve long-term stable control of blood pressure and protect cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health.
In this "long battle" against high blood pressure, every small dietary choice can make a big difference. Therefore, people with high blood pressure should always be vigilant and take responsibility for their own health while enjoying their food. After all, a healthy body is the greatest asset to enjoy life.
The above content is for reference only, if you feel unwell, please consult a medical professional. If you like it, you can pay attention to it, share health knowledge every day, and be your exclusive online doctor.