Does blood pressure rise after eating?

In this brief guide, we will answer the query, “Does blood pressure rise after eating?” We will also discuss the foods that cause a rise in blood pressure, whether the rise in blood pressure after eating is normal, and the reason blood pressure lowers after eating.

Does blood pressure rise after eating?

Yes, sometimes blood pressure rises after eating. This depends on the food you’re eating and your health condition. Your blood pressure may rise or fall depending on the type of food you’re eating and your immune system.

A person’s blood pressure typically drops after eating, however, after consuming certain foods that have high sodium content or saturated fat, a person’s blood pressure may rise. Foods high in salt may cause a relatively short increase, while foods high in saturated fats pose a longer-term risk.

What causes a rise in blood pressure after eating?

The main reason your blood pressure may rise after eating is because of the consumption of foods that are high in sodium or saturated fat. In some individuals, especially people with hypertension, this rise can be abnormal exceeding the normal range.

Salt 

The majority of readymade meals and processed foods have high sodium or salt content. Sodium makes the body retain more water than it needs to, which raises blood pressure. 

So, if your blood pressure increases after eating canned or readymade foods, it is most likely due to the high sodium content. Those with prehypertension or hypertension should make an effort to reduce their sodium intake. Foods like canned vegetables, meats, junk foods like chips, etc that tend to be high in sodium should be avoided.

Saturated fat 

A high saturated-fat diet also raises the risk of hypertension. The American Heart Association (AHA) asserts that saturated fat raises blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol.

There is an accumulation of fatty deposits called plaques in the arteries due to the high levels of LDL cholesterol. The arteries are made less wide by plaques, which restrict blood flow. To make up for this, the heart pumps blood more vigorously, ultimately raising the blood pressure.

Fatty red meat, poultry with skin, lard, fried foods, butter, cheese, dairy products, and tropical oils like coconut, palm kernel, and palm oils are some of the ingredients that are high in saturated and must be avoided to maintain your blood pressure.

Is the rise in blood pressure after eating normal?

No, the rise in blood pressure after eating is not normal. The abnormal rise in blood pressure may further cause many health problems. 

The blood pressure monitor will show two numbers when someone takes their blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure, the pressure experienced when the heart is contracting, is represented by the higher number. Diastolic blood pressure, on the other hand, is represented by the bottom number. The number indicates when the heart muscles relax.

Blood pressure readings under 120/80 millimeters of mercury(mm Hg) are considered normal. However, when your blood pressure rises after eating foods that are high in sodium or saturated fats, the numbers are way above the normal category, which is concerning.

Similarly, it can be presumed that a person has prehypertension if their readings show 120/80 mm Hg to 139/89 mm Hg. Similarly, a person has hypertension if their blood pressure readings are greater than 140/90 mm Hg. Overall, we can conclude that the increase in blood pressure after eating high sodium and high saturated fat foods is not normal and certainly not healthy.

Why does blood pressure lowers after eating?

The main reason your blood pressure lowers after eating is because the blood is diverted to the digestive tract (stomach and small intestine) to help with digestion. As a result, other parts of the body experience a brief drop in blood pressure. 

To make up for this, blood vessels outside of the digestive tract close, which makes the heart beat more quickly and vigorously. This keeps the blood pressure and blood flow to your brain, appendages, and other parts of your body steady.

Blood pressure will drop throughout your body except for your digestive system if your blood vessels and heart don’t react appropriately to the additional blood flowing to your organs. This condition is medically termed postprandial hypotension is the term for this.

Conclusion 

In this brief guide, we have answered the query, “Does blood pressure rise after eating?” We have also discussed the foods that cause a rise in blood pressure, whether the rise in blood pressure after eating is normal, and the reason blood pressure lowers after eating.

Citations 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327217

https://www.healthline.com/health/blood-pressure-after-eating