Introduction
High blood pressure is a serious health issue that can lead to a variety of health complications, including stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. A new study has found that a certain chemical in our drinking water may be linked to high blood pressure. This chemical, known as nitrate, is found in many of our water sources and can be difficult to avoid. In this article, we will discuss the findings of the study and provide tips on how to reduce your exposure to nitrate in your drinking water. We will also provide some food swaps that can help you reduce your risk of high blood pressure.
This Chemical in Your Water Linked to High Blood Pressure, Says New Study
A new study has found that a chemical commonly found in drinking water is linked to high blood pressure. The chemical, called nitrate, is found in many sources of drinking water, including groundwater, surface water, and even bottled water.
The study, which was published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, looked at data from over 3,000 people in the United States. The researchers found that those who had higher levels of nitrate in their drinking water were more likely to have higher blood pressure.
The researchers believe that nitrate may be causing the high blood pressure by interfering with the body’s ability to regulate blood pressure. Nitrate is known to interfere with the body’s ability to absorb certain minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, which are important for regulating blood pressure.
The researchers also noted that nitrate levels in drinking water can vary widely, depending on the source. Groundwater, for example, can have higher levels of nitrate than surface water.
The study’s authors recommend that people who are concerned about their nitrate levels in drinking water should consider using a water filter or drinking bottled water. They also suggest that people should be aware of the potential health risks associated with nitrate in drinking water and take steps to reduce their exposure.
While the study’s findings are concerning, it’s important to remember that nitrate is just one of many potential health risks associated with drinking water. Other contaminants, such as lead, arsenic, and bacteria, can also be found in drinking water.
It’s important to stay informed about the quality of your drinking water and take steps to ensure that it is safe. If you’re concerned about nitrate levels in your drinking water, talk to your local water provider or contact a water testing company to have your water tested.
Chances are, if you’re reading this article, you want to do your best to stay healthy, particularly to keep your heart in top shape. But according to a new study, no matter how careful you are about diet and exercise, the deck may be stacked against you. Scientists found that certain chemicals prevalent in drinking water have been linked to high blood pressure. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Exposure to “forever chemicals”—the man-made chemicals present in food, water, and air that don’t break down readily, such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—may increase women’s risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) in middle age.
That’s according to a new study published in the journal Hypertension. Researchers at the University of Michigan analyzed health data from more than 1,000 women ages 45 to 56, who were tracked for nearly two decades in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation Multi-Pollutant Study.
When the study began, all of the subjects had normal blood pressure. Between 1999 and 2017, 470 women developed high blood pressure. The scientists found that women who had high levels of all seven PFAS chemicals in their blood when the study began had a 71% greater risk of developing hypertension.
High blood pressure is what it sounds like—the force of blood moving through arteries is higher than normal. That’s dangerous because it can damage those arteries, increasing the risk of serious conditions like cardiovascular disease.
PFAS are used to make cosmetics, personal care items like shampoo and shaving cream, nonstick cookware, and stain-resistant clothes and home furnishings, among other everyday items. According to the National Institutes of Health, these chemicals last so long in the environment that their half-life is impossible to assess. One study found that 97% of Americans have measurable levels of PFAS in their blood. Experts say the most common route of exposure to PFAS is drinking water.
Study senior author Sung Kyun Park, an associate professor of epidemiology and environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, said the study’s findings were evidence that chemicals like PFAS should be more closely regulated. “Some states are beginning to ban the use of PFAS in food packaging and cosmetic and personal care products,” he said in a release. “Our findings make it clear that strategies to limit the widespread use of PFAS in products need to be developed. Switching to alternative options may help reduce the incidence of high blood pressure risk in midlife women.” And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
Michael Martin