Blood Pressure and Diet

Diet plays an important role in the development of high blood pressure. It is equally important in helping to reduce excessively high blood pressure. An unhealthy diet can promote the development of high blood pressure (hypertension). Conversely, it is possible to lower blood pressure through a tailored diet. Changing eating habits therefore plays an important role in treating high blood pressure. A consistent and sustainable change in diet may make it possible to avoid medication or reduce the required dosage.

Limit salt intake if you have high blood pressure

A higher intake of table salt, for example, can raise blood pressure. It is therefore advisable to use the salt shaker sparingly and to pay attention to the salt content of convenience foods or ready-made meals. This is because these products often contain particularly high amounts of salt without consumers noticing.

Another link between blood pressure and diet concerns excess weight, which is often caused by poor eating habits. This is generally defined using the body mass index (BMI). BMI indicates the ratio of body weight to height. Standard values have been defined that take age and sex into account. BMI may be less informative for certain groups of people if they have a high weight relative to their height due to a high proportion of muscle mass, as is the case with strength athletes, for example.
A BMI above the normal range is often associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure (see the previous caveat). Therefore, reducing excess weight is of central importance in the treatment of hypertension. This is achieved in part through sufficient physical activity or exercise.

On the other hand, diet is a crucial factor. If you don't consistently and permanently change your diet, excess weight can't be reduced. So blood pressure and eating habits are closely linked. Below you will find more information on the topic of diet and high blood pressure. Among other things, you'll learn about salt, fructose, and beetroot in relation to high blood pressure.

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This article is from Tensana – the leading app since 2011, helping hundreds of thousands of people monitor their blood pressure every day. Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 12/2025).

Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as outpatient care, and has headed the specialist editorial team at Tensana since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as an emergency medical technician, first responder, and in various areas of therapy and emergency care, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably verified information.

Blood Pressure and Diet

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