Researchers in Indonesia studied how food choices affect high blood pressure by looking at health data from across the entire country. They found that eating too many sweet foods, fatty foods, and sugary drinks is connected to higher rates of high blood pressure. The good news? The study shows that if people eat less salt, fat, and sugar, they could significantly lower their chances of developing high blood pressure. This research gives Indonesia’s health leaders important information to help people make healthier food choices and reduce this serious health problem.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How different foods and drinks we eat every day affect whether people develop high blood pressure
  • Who participated: People from all provinces across Indonesia who participated in the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey, which measured their eating habits and blood pressure
  • Key finding: Eating sweet foods, fatty foods, and sugary drinks was strongly linked to higher rates of high blood pressure. People who ate these foods more often had significantly higher chances of having high blood pressure compared to those who ate them less often
  • What it means for you: If you live in Indonesia or have similar eating habits, cutting back on sugary snacks, fried foods, and sweet drinks could help protect your heart and blood vessels. However, this study shows a connection, not proof that these foods cause high blood pressure, so talk to your doctor about your personal diet

The Research Details

Researchers used information collected from the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey, which gathered data from people living in all Indonesian provinces. This type of study, called a cross-sectional study, takes a snapshot of a large group of people at one point in time, measuring both what they eat and their blood pressure readings. The researchers then used a statistical method called logistic regression to figure out which foods had the strongest connection to high blood pressure, while accounting for other factors that might affect blood pressure like age and weight.

This approach is important because it looks at real-world eating patterns across an entire country rather than just one city or group. By studying many people from different areas of Indonesia, the findings are more likely to reflect what’s actually happening with people’s diets and health throughout the nation. This makes the results useful for creating health policies that could help many people.

This study used data from an official national health survey, which means the information was collected carefully and systematically. The study included people from all Indonesian provinces, making it representative of the whole country. However, because this is a snapshot study rather than following people over time, we can see which foods are connected to high blood pressure, but we cannot be completely certain that the foods themselves cause the problem

What the Results Show

The study found strong connections between eating certain foods and having high blood pressure. Sweet foods showed a clear link to higher blood pressure risk. Fatty foods and sugary drinks showed particularly strong connections after researchers adjusted for other factors that might affect blood pressure. The researchers found that these connections were statistically significant, meaning they were very unlikely to have happened by chance. The data suggests that reducing intake of these three types of foods—sweet foods, fatty foods, and sugary drinks—could be an effective way to help lower high blood pressure rates across Indonesia.

The research highlighted that salt consumption also plays an important role in blood pressure, consistent with what health experts have known for many years. The study’s findings were consistent across different regions of Indonesia, suggesting that these dietary patterns affect blood pressure similarly regardless of where people live in the country.

These findings align with what international health organizations have been saying for years: eating too much salt, sugar, and fat increases the risk of high blood pressure. This Indonesian study provides important local evidence supporting these global health recommendations and shows that the problem is particularly relevant in Indonesia where high blood pressure is a major health concern.

The study shows connections between foods and high blood pressure but cannot prove that eating these foods directly causes high blood pressure, since it only captured one moment in time. The study didn’t track people over months or years to see if changing their diet actually lowered their blood pressure. Additionally, the study relied on people reporting what they eat, which can sometimes be inaccurate because people may not remember exactly what they consumed or may underreport unhealthy foods

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, health experts should encourage people to eat less salt, less sugar, and less fatty food to help prevent high blood pressure. This recommendation has moderate to strong confidence because it’s supported by this large Indonesian study plus many other international studies. People should focus on eating more fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins instead

Everyone in Indonesia should pay attention to these findings, especially people who already have high blood pressure or have family members with high blood pressure. People who eat a lot of sweet snacks, fried foods, or sugary drinks should consider making changes. If you have high blood pressure or are at risk, talk to your doctor before making major diet changes

You won’t see changes overnight. Most people need to eat healthier for several weeks to a few months before their blood pressure starts to improve. Some people may see benefits within 4-6 weeks, while others may take 2-3 months. The longer you stick with healthier eating, the better your results will be

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily servings of sugary foods, fatty foods, and sugary drinks (aim for zero or very few). Also track salt added to meals. Use the app to log these items each day and watch your numbers decrease over time
  • Set a specific goal like ‘reduce sugary drinks to 2 per week’ or ’eat fried foods only once per week’ and use the app to track progress. Replace one unhealthy food choice per week with a healthier option, such as swapping sugary drinks for water or tea
  • Check your blood pressure weekly if possible and log it in the app alongside your food diary. Look for patterns—notice if weeks with less salt, sugar, and fat correspond with lower blood pressure readings. Share this data with your doctor at regular checkups

This research shows a connection between certain foods and high blood pressure but does not prove that these foods cause high blood pressure. Individual results vary based on genetics, overall health, exercise, stress, and other factors. If you have high blood pressure or are concerned about your blood pressure, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Always speak with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or health program, especially if you take blood pressure medications