A Plant-Based Diet for the Prevention and Treatment of High Blood Pressure
Suffer from high blood pressure? Check out this scientific based information on how to manage it naturally.
High blood pressure (HBP), also known as hypertension, is a medical condition that is very prevalent in the United States and around the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 75 million adults in the United States have high blood pressure. This is roughly about 29% of the adult population. Having high blood pressure puts you at risk for developing other diseases such as stroke and heart disease.
Unfortunately, many people with high blood pressure don’t even know they have the condition until found during a routine screening. This is why it is often called “the silent killer” as there are often no symptoms. Once you’re found to have high blood pressure treatment includes improving your diet, exercising, and making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking. In addition to these changes, you may also need medication to lower your blood pressure.
However, what if there was a successful way to not just treat high blood pressure, but prevent it from occurring in the first place? There is a growing amount of evidence that shows that a plant-based diet can effectively treat high blood pressure. Eating plant-based means a diet which avoids foods derived from animal products including meat, dairy, and eggs. An article published in the Journal of Geriatric Cardiology concluded that “…we believe that consuming a diet that is mostly or exclusively plant-based appears prudent for the prevention and treatment of hypertension.”
So, what does this mean for those who suffer from high blood pressure or who what to prevent it? By consuming a plant-based diet you may be able to prevent high blood pressure as well as treat it if you already have a diagnosis. However, some people may not be able to treat their high blood pressure with diet alone as genetics and other factors may also be the cause. Thus, it is important to speak to your healthcare provider prior to making any adjustments to your medication regimen.
Not only is a plant-based diet effective in lowering your blood pressure, it is also effective in lowering cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and can even help to prevent certain cancers.
References
Merai R, Siegel C, Rakotz M, Basch P, Wright J, Wong B; DHSc., Thorpe P. CDC Grand Rounds: A Public Health Approach to Detect and Control Hypertension. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2016 Nov 18;65(45):1261-1264
High Blood Pressure FAQs. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/faqs.htm
Alexander S, Ostfeld RJ, Allen K, Williams KA. A plant-based diet and hypertension. J GeriatrCardiol. 2017;14(5):327-330.