The hormonal changes that occur with pregnancy also modify the functioning of the cardiovascular system, and these changes, together with the high temperatures in summer, can lead to a drop in blood pressure. Therefore, we tell you how to prevent hypotension with a good diet and what foods to include in your diet if you suffer from low blood pressure.
Although hypotension in pregnancy is not as serious as hypertension, it can lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, fainting, weakness, and constant fatigue. For this reason, in summer more than ever we have to avoid with a good diet that blood pressure drops to values lower than 90/60 mmHg.
A good diet to avoid hypotension
As we have said, to avoid the annoying drop in blood pressure, we can resort to a good diet that helps us maintain blood circulation and the pressure that it exerts on the walls of the arteries at normal levels.
For this, it is important to know that with the high temperatures that characterize the summer, hypotension is more frequent, as we lose more fluid and in the event of mild dehydration, blood pressure is reduced.
Foods to include:
Water
To prevent this drop in pressure, it is essential to take care of your water intake and not drink less than 2 or 2.5 liters per day. In summer, the heat can cause dehydration, so the first remedy before the drop in blood pressure is to drink water. Do not wait to be thirsty.
Vegetables with natural sodium
Vegetables such as celery, chard, spinach, asparagus, carrots, artichokes, beets, and tomatoes are high in sodium.
Nuts
Nuts contain sodium per se, so they don’t need to be salty as well. We can include 5-6 walnuts or about 10 almonds a day in the diet.
Cured cheese
Cured cheese is a source of fat and sodium in large amounts, which as we know, helps raise blood pressure. It should not be abused because of its high fat content, but we can incorporate it into the pregnant woman’s diet occasionally.
Cod and anchovies
Cod is a great source of sodium. It contains 0.9 g of sodium per 100 grams, almost half of the recommended daily sodium intake. So are anchovies, which also highlight their content of healthy Omega 3 fats that contributes to the development of the baby’s brain.
Licorice
It is rich in glycyrrhine, a calcium salt that helps raise blood pressure. It can be taken in the form of an infusion, or in the form of a stick or root.
Honey
Honey is a good substitute for table sugar, with the same effect as a blood pressure riser. Of course, its consumption should be moderated.
Ginger
Consuming ginger a couple of times a day promotes blood circulation. Also, this root is a natural remedy for morning sickness. The most common is to take it in the form of an infusion or ginger lemonade, although it can also be added to the preparation of sweet or savory dishes.
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