Experts reveal the one snack over 65s should avoid to prevent high blood pressure

Health & Fitness
20 Sep 2025 • 2:50 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Older adults should avoid high-sodium foods to prevent high blood pressure, which can lead to severe medical outcomes such as heart attacks or strokes.
  • Eating salty snacks like pretzels can increase blood pressure within hours by raising fluid in blood vessels and making the heart work harder.
  • Over 75 per cent of adults aged 65 and above experience high blood pressure, making dietary choices crucial for this demographic.
  • The average American consumes 3,400 milligrams of sodium daily, significantly exceeding the recommended 2,300 milligrams, with much of it hidden in processed foods.
  • Experts advise avoiding processed foods, opting for fresh produce, and checking nutrition labels for snacks with 200 milligrams of sodium or less per serving to improve heart health.

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