Q: I like to eat nuts as a snack. I have noticed that after I eat unsalted peanuts, my blood pressure gets very high. Is there a particular reason for that?
A: Perhaps you have a mild food allergy to peanuts. You should mention your problem to your doctor. Typically eating unsalted peanuts does not effect blood pressure. Peanuts are actually a legume, just like beans and peas. Legumes are part of a healthy diet. To learn more about legumes go to this article on the Mayo Clinic’s web site.
Further Reading:
Peanut allergy – MayoClinic.com
Peanut Allergy Facts, Symptoms – Food Allergy.org
Yes, peanuts are a legume, but they are among the least healthy of the legumes. Peanuts are very acidic and are prone to pesticides and toxins. It may be an allergic reaction to the peanuts or some toxic residue. In any event, they aren’t that healthy for you anyway. Maybe try almonds and almond butter. Almonds are a superior alternative with healthy omega’s!
All the best!!
Peanuts usually increase blood pressure,so its must avoid
Are the peanuts salted? If so this could be part of the problem.
My Dr told me that one common blood pressure medicine can cause the lips, tongue and throat to swell. I compared this to a similar reaction I have with hazelnuts caused by odd proteins that some people cannot tolerate. Interestingly, this drug, used for high blood pressure is derived from a snake venom. The medicine consists of a very small protein-like molecule, which can react the same way with some people who are allergic to certain foods as I have described. By the way, the snake venom does indeed lower blood pressure but to dangerously low levels. Many drug substances are indeed modifications of toxins found in nature. I am in no position to make any judgments on this, nor should anyone else. Using natural products in this way has been the practice of medicine since Adam and Eve.
I am menoposal and I have difficulty sleeping, this has caused my blood pressure to elevate, any suggestions?
Gail – I suggest hydration first (is your urine very yellow? Should be very pale to clear), and exercise, which in the long run should help both BP and sleep. Valerian herb capsules can be a gentle relaxant.
But high BP almost always responds to diet. I am a 45-year no-dairy vegetarian and pushing 60, and my BP is usually 120/70 or so and I take NO meds. If you don’t want to go that far, do assess everything you eat, maybe with a nutritionist, with a focus on overall BP reduction and stabilization. It works, period.