Processed Meats
Items like bacon, sausages, hot dogs, and deli meats are high in sodium and preservatives, which can elevate blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day, yet just two slices of bacon contain around 380 mg of sodium. Additionally, the nitrates and nitrites in processed meats have been linked to endothelial dysfunction, which impairs blood vessel function and raises the likelihood of stroke. Research suggests that consuming 50 grams of processed meat daily increases stroke risk by 11%.
