Introduction When it comes to high blood pressure, salt (sodium) usually gets all the blame—and for good reason. Excess sodium causes the body to retain water, which puts extra pressure on blood vessels and raises blood pressure. But while watching your salt shaker is important, there’s more to the story. Many common foods—some of them even marketed as “healthy”—can silently drive up your blood pressure due to hidden ingredients, additives, or biological effects. If you’re trying to manage hypertension or prevent it, it’s time to look beyond salt and examine the surprising culprits on your plate. This article explores less…