Blood-Pressure-Lowering Effect of a Vegetarian Diet: Controlled Trial in Normotensive Subjects

Hypertension and blood pressure among meat eaters, fish eaters, vegetarians and vegans in EPIC–Oxford

“…Differences in adjusted mean blood pressure between vegetarians and non-vegetarians in these studies ranged from 5 to 10 mmHg systolic and from 2 to 8 mmHg diastolic. Further, two randomised crossover trials in which participants followed a vegetarian diet for six weeks showed reductions in blood pressure of 5-6 mmHg systolic and 2-3 mm Hg diastolic compared with their normal meat-based diet 25,26 . In our study, the differences in age-adjusted mean blood pressure between vegetarians and meat-eaters were much lower than this, being no more than about 1 mm Hg systolic or diastolic (Table 3).…”

Taking nutritional supplements for three months reduced blood pressure but not blood lipid levels in students

“…Hypertension is the leading cause for heart disease, kidney disease and stroke. 22 Studies have found that vegetable products in vegetarian-diet trials reduced blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive individuals. 22,23 In a large randomized controlled study, diet and blood pressure were evaluated in subjects consuming vegetables and fruits daily for 8 weeks.…”

Non-pharmacological management of hypertension

“…Vegan diet 5 mmHg [28,29] DASH diet 5.5 mmHg [32] Goal: increased usage of fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and includes whole grains, nuts, poultry and Þ sh Increased potassium intake 1.8 to 4.4 [36] Goal: consuming foods such as fruits and vegetables that are rich in potassium…”

“…Several factors might be responsible for this effect, such as increased potassium, low-to-moderate alcohol intake and high Þ ber. In studies involving normotensives [29] and hypertensives, [30] vegetarian diets reduced systolic BP by approximately 5 mmHg but had equivocal effects on diastolic BP. Cereals however have been seen to raise BP levels.…”