Researchers from the Warwick Medical School have found that following a plant-based diet, even with small amounts of meat and dairy, could lower blood pressure.
A team of researchers from the University of Warwick’s Medical School have found that implementing plant-based foods into your diet could benefit your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular disease. Even a limited amount of animal products could be beneficial too.
Published in the Journal of Hypertension, the team conducted a systematic review of previous research from controlled clinical trials to compare seven plant-based diets (some included limited amounts of animal products) to a standard control diet. It then looked at the impact the diets had on individuals’ blood pressure.
According to a news release by Alpha Galileo. It wasn’t clear whether one had to get rid of animal products entirely to have a beneficial effect on blood pressure.
Joshua Gibbs, lead author and student in the university, said the results show that most of the diets, including Dietary Approaches. Stop Hypertension (DASH), Mediterranean, vegetarian, vegan, Nordic, high-fiber, and high fruit and vegetables lowered blood pressure levels.
The DASH diet had the most substantial effect of reducing the levels compared to a standard diet. This is the diet. That encourages the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and low-fat dairy products. While limiting sweets, saturated fat, and sodium.
“A blood pressure reduction of the scale caused by higher consumption of plant-based diets. Even with limited animal products would result in a 14% reduction in strokes. A 9% reduction in heart attacks, and a 7% reduction in overall mortality,” said Gibbs.
“This is a significant finding. It highlights that complete eradication of animal products is not necessary to produce reductions and improvements in blood pressure. Essentially, any shift towards a plant-based diet is a good one.”
Additionally, senior author Francesco Cappuccio, a professor at Warwick Medical School, said:
“The adoption of plant-based dietary patterns would also play a role in global food sustainability and security. They would contribute to a reduction in land use due to human activities, to global water conservation. And to a significant reduction in global greenhouse gas emission.”
Going on a plant-based diet with high carbohydrates has also shown to improve insulin sensitivity and other health markers in individuals with type 1 diabetes.
