#1 High-Sodium Foods
The fact that bread and other baked products are among the foods that add the most sodium to our diets surprises a lot of people. High salt intake has the potential to increase blood pressure, a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke.
For instance, a plain bagel may include 500 milligrams of salt, which is about one-third of the daily sodium intake for most adults suggested by the American Heart Association.
One of the main causes of high blood pressure is an excessive amount of sodium in the diet. And a September 2019 study in Nutrients found that consuming too much salt increases the quantity of water you retain, which is one of the reasons it is bad for the heart.
Other foods high in sodium include:
- processed cheese;
- cured and processed meats (deli meats, jerky, and canned meat);
- frozen dinners;
- salty snacks.
