In South Africa, over 30% of adults are battling high blood pressure, which is to blame for half of all strokes and 40% of heart attacks, the Heart and Stroke Foundation reports.
Now, there's a new angle to consider: while many have always pointed fingers at too much salt for causing this condition, it turns out sugar could also be a big problem.
The Noakes Foundation is shaking things up by suggesting we've been looking in the wrong direction. It's not just the salt shaker we need to watch out for; it's the sugar content too.
We've all heard the warnings about salt and blood pressure. The Noakes Foundation is challenging the usual advice on dealing with high blood pressure. They’re pointing out that sugar’s role in high blood pressure is often overlooked.
The Noakes Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to questioning the accepted scientific beliefs and exploring nutrition-based remedies for chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
The Foundation supports independent and unconventional scientific research to promote healthier eating habits.
Professor Tim Noakes suggests we need to pay more attention to sugar and insulin resistance, especially for those who react badly to salt. He believes it's time to change the conversation about how we treat and understand high blood pressure.
Sugar found in processed foods is a major cause of high blood pressure, especially the extra sugar added, not the kind found in fruits or milk.
Studies also show that eating too much sugar can make your body more sensitive to salt. This could make the bad effects of salt on blood pressure even worse. In fact, a research study done in 2017 found that older women who consumed more sugar were more likely to have higher blood pressure.
According to Noakes, it's time for a major shift in how we approach high blood pressure.
Dr James DiNicolantonio, a salt expert from New York and the author of “The Salt Fix”, backs this up. He said too much sugar can make certain people react badly to salt.
His theory explains that when our blood sugar levels are high, our kidneys hang on to more salt and water. This makes it difficult for blood vessels to do their job of relaxing, leading to an increase in blood pressure.
“This implies that reduction of sugar, rather than salt, in the diet is important for reducing blood pressure. Eating a low-carb high-fat diet is proven to reduce blood pressure levels, and blood sugar levels, and improve insulin sensitivity.
“As a bonus, reducing your carbohydrate intake can help you maintain a healthy weight and avoid obesity, one of the major risk factors for hypertension,” said Noakes.
Moreover, Noakes points out an additional advantage of reducing carbohydrates: weight management. By following such a diet, people can keep their weight in check and steer clear of obesity, which is known to be a leading cause of high blood pressure and lot more health issues.
The emphasis on minimising sugar over salt intake marks a shift in the long-standing approach to diet and hypertension. Jayne Bullen, Chief Operating Officer at The Noakes Foundation, stresses the importance of this change.
According to Bullen, reassessing the traditional dietary recommendations and fostering a deeper comprehension of the factors influencing hypertension can empower people.
Armed with this knowledge, individuals can make better dietary choices, taking a significant step towards seizing control of their health.
Hypertension management tips from The Noakes Foundation:
Know your numbers: The only way to know if your blood pressure is healthy is to get it checked regularly. The ideal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg; 120/80 to 140/90 mmHg is considered pre-hypertensive. Anything over this is considered high.
Eat a well-balanced low-carb high-fat diet: Eating foods on a keto diet changes hormones in a way that helps the body get rid of too much salt when you urinate.
Exercise regularly: This can help reduce weight gain and decrease blood pressure.
Reduce stress levels: When you're stressed, your body releases hormones that make your heart beat faster and your blood vessels get tighter. This can raise your blood pressure.
Take medication as directed: This can reduce the risk of having a stroke, heart failure, or damage to the kidneys caused by hypertension.