Foods to Avoid If You Have High Blood Pressure

61. The Pickled Jar Surprise: Non-Pickle Pickles

While we've covered pickled vegetables, a more surprising culprit is the brine they're stored in. Many people consume pickled foods and discard the liquid, but this brine is the real source of the sodium. It's often used to cure and preserve a variety of foods, from olives and capers to marinated mushrooms and even some kinds of cheese. A few tablespoons of olive brine in a martini, for example, can add hundreds of milligrams of sodium to your drink. This is an overlooked source of salt, as the focus is usually on the food itself rather than the liquid it’s submerged in.

62. Flavored Water and Electrolyte Drinks: The Dehydration Deception

When you feel thirsty, you might reach for a flavored water or electrolyte drink to rehydrate, but these can be surprisingly high in sodium. They are designed to replenish electrolytes lost during intense exercise, but for a casual drinker, the added sodium can be problematic. A single bottle might contain 200mg or more of sodium, and if you’re not an athlete, that’s just excess salt your body doesn’t need. Smart swap: For daily hydration, plain water is best. If you want flavor, add a squeeze of lemon or a few berries. For electrolyte replenishment after a workout, consider a natural alternative like coconut water.