Question

76. In general, what effects do sodium and potassium have on blood pressure?
77. What is the purpose of the DASH diet? What types of foods are emphasized?
78. The DASH diet includes foods that are good sources of what 3 minerals that help to control blood pressure?
79. What foods are the best sources of potassium?
80. What is the most abundant mineral in the body?
81. What are the roles of calcium in the body?
82. Is the amount of calcium in the blood of a healthy person affected by daily calcium intake? Why?

Answer 1

76. Sodium increases blood pressure by affecting fluid balance. The increase sodium level in the blood reduces the urination in the kidney and increases fluid volume in the body.

Potassium decreases blood pressure by overriding the effect of sodium or reducing the effect of sodium. So, Hypertensive patients always advised low sodium and high potassium diet.

77. DASH diet means Dietary approaches to stop hypertension. This diet is a special design to reduce blood pressure and to prevent hypertension.

DASH diets include

1. Your diet should have more raw fruit, green vegetables, and whole grains and nuts.
2. Limit intake of fish and poultry products and avoid red meat.
3. You should limit the intake of sodium-rich diet, sugary foods.
4. Exclude sugary drinks, restaurant foods, canned or packaged foods, caffeine-rich diet, and processed foods.

78. The best sources of potassium are

Banana, grapes, potatoes, peas, broccoli, yogurt, mushrooms, etc.

Almost all fresh vegetables and fruits contain potassium.