Maintaining a vegetarian diet can be an effective way to lower blood pressure without using medications, according to a new study.
Vegetarianism is a dietary practice characterized by the consumption of only vegetables, fruit, nuts, grains and pulses, and excluding the consumption of all body parts of any animal and products derived from animal carcasses (such as lard, tallow, gelatin, cochineal), from one's diet. The American Dietetic Association states that a well-planned vegetarian diet can be consistent with good nutritional intake. Dietary recommendations vary with the type of vegetarian diet. For children and adolescents these diets require special planning since it may be difficult to obtain all the nutrients required for growth and development.
In a recent study, researchers conducted a comprehensive literature search for well-designed clinical trials evaluating the association between vegetarian diets and blood pressure. Two-hundred and fifty-eight studies were identified. Seven clinical trials plus 32 observational studies were ultimately included.
The researchers found that according to data in the clinical trials, maintaining a vegetarian diet was linked to both lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. People maintaining vegetarian diets had an average systolic blood pressure that was 4.8 mm Hg lower and a diastolic blood pressure that was about 2.2 mm Hg lower than people who were not on vegetarian diets. Similarly, data from the observation studies found that people maintaining vegetarian diets had an average systolic blood pressure that was 6.9 mm Hg lower and a diastolic blood pressure that was about 4.7 mm Hg lower than people who ate meat.
The authors concluded that eating a vegetarian diet is associated with lower blood pressure. The use of this diet could be an alternative to traditional blood pressure-lowering medications. Additional research is necessary.
For more information about vegetarian diets, please visit Natural Standard's Health & Wellness Database.
The information in this brief report is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions. Copyright © 2024 NatMed. Commercial distribution or reproduction prohibited. NatMed is the leading provider of high-quality, evidence-based, clinically-relevant information on natural medicine, dietary supplements, herbs, vitamins, minerals, functional foods, diets, complementary practices, CAM modalities, exercises and medical conditions. Monograph sections include interactions with herbs, drugs, foods and labs, contraindications, depletions, dosing, toxicology, adverse effects, pregnancy and lactation data, synonyms, safety and effectiveness.
