Diet directly affects blood pressure. In most people, sodium reduction reduces blood pressure,[1] and so does increasing potassium intake,[2] whereas alcohol seems to increase blood pressure.[3] A sodium intake of <1,500 mg/day is ideal for people with high blood pressure, but reducing sodium intake by 1,000 mg/day is a good starting point.
The most effective diet for reducing blood pressure is the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and low-fat dairy products and is greatly reduced in added sugar and saturated fat.[4]