Vegetarian Diet Lowers Blood Pressure
Written By: Susan E. Berkow, Ph.D., CN. S., Neal D. Barnard, M. D., The Lancet
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Published - Jul 9, 2007
A new scientific review shows that high blood pressure (hypertension) can be reduced with dietary changes, especially a vegetarian diet. has also been called "the silent killer" because symptoms not always obvious.
The report, analyzing the results of published studies, concludes that vegetarian populations have lower rates of hypertension. Susan E. Berkow, Ph.D., CN. S., and Neal D. Barnard, M. D., are the authors of the report.
Included in the analysis are studies published in The Lancet and Journal of the American Medical Association. In addition to the populationtrends, these studies show that individual patients also experience the blood pressure lowering effect of a vegetarian diet.
Vegetarians tend to be slimmer, on average, and that may be one reasonwhy their blood pressure is often in the healthy range. Other mechanismsinclude the typical vegetarian's higher intake of potassium as well as the tendency of plant-based foods to modulate blood viscosity. As blood pressure is lowered, vegetarians experience a reduced risk of stroke heart attack, and kidney failure.
Dr. Berkow, lead author of the study, says, "Many people fear the side effects of blood pressure-lowering drugs, along with the expense. Our analysis of 80 scientific studies suggests that a vegetarian diet may be a simple drug-free treatment for the 'silent killer,'"
"My advice to people at risk for hypertension is to substitute a veggie burger for a hamburger tonight and have pasta marinara without the meatballs tomorrow. After about six weeks of such simple changes, you might see your blood pressure - and your body weight - begin to drop."
Because high blood pressure is dangerous, the researchers caution that individuals should see their doctors and assess whether diet alone is sufficient or whether drugs are also needed.
The authors refer to randomized clinical trials showing that blood pressure is lowered when animal products are replaced with vegetable products in populations with normal blood pressure and in people with hypertension. The beneficial expected consequences of a reduction in blood pressure include a reduction in major coronary events.
They add that vegetarians have a lower incidence of coronary heart disease and ischemic heart disease as well as a reduced risk of ischemic heart disease-related death, compared with nonvegetarians.