Plant-Based Diet Including Consumption of Meat and Dairy in Small Amounts Can Help Lower Blood Pressure, According to Research
A new study by the University of Warwick recently presented that plant-based diet consumption can help lower blood pressure even if there is consumption of dairy and small amounts of meats, as well.
A new study by the University of Warwick recently presented that plant-based diet consumption can help lower blood pressure even if there is a consumption of dairy and small amounts of meats, as well.
A group of researchers from Warwick Medical School argued that any initiative to improve plant-based foods in a person's diet and limit his intake of animal products is possible to benefit his blood pressure and lower his risk of cardiovascular disease, the danger of heart attacks and strokes.
Relatively, the said team led a methodical evaluation of past research from controlled clinical tests for comparison of seven different plant-based diets, some of which included small amounts of animal products, to a "standardized control diet," and the effect that such products had on the blood pressure of an individual.
The said review indicated that "plant-based foods back high consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, seeds, nuts and whole grains restricting the consumption of most, if not all animal products, primarily dairy and meat."
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Plant-Based Diet's Link to High Blood Pressure
According to research, high blood pressure is the foremost risk factor worldwide for conditions such as strokes, heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases.
In addition, a decrease in blood pressure has essential health benefits for both individuals and the public. In addition, unhealthy diets are more accountable for fatalities and disabilities worldwide than a high intake of alcohol, drugs, and even unsafe sex-all mixed together.
Higher intake of vegetables, seeds, nuts, grains and fruits, as acquired in plant-based diets, based on studies, could prevent up to "1.7, 1.8, 2.5 and 4.9 million deaths worldwide respectively each year."
Essentially, both vegan and vegetarian diets with a total absence of animal products are already famous for lowering blood pressure compared to omnivorous foods.
The said diets' viability and sustainability are, nevertheless, limited. Until now, it remains unknown whether a total absence of animal products is essential in plant-based patterns of diet to attain a considerable impact on blood pressure.
Thousands of Participants Involved
Joshua Gibbs, the study's lead author and a University of Warwick School of Life Sciences student said, they reviewed 41 studies which engaged more than 8,000 participants in which the impacts of seven plant-based diets on blood pressure were evaluated carefully in controlled clinical tests.
These seven plant-based diets included Vegetarian, Vegan, DASH, high-fibre, Mediterranean, Nordic and high fruit and vegetable diets.
In relation to plant-based diets, a systematic assessment and meta-analysis of these research studies presented that majority of these diets reduced blood pressure.
Specifically, the DASH diet had the most significant impact decreasing blood pressure by "5.53/3.79mmHG," compared to a control diet. Meanwhile, when the same diet is compared to the 'usual' or regular diet, the blood pressure was reduced by 8.74/6.05 mmHg.
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Effectiveness of the Diet on Blood Pressure
The study presented the effectiveness of a plant-based diet on lowering blood pressure. Nevertheless, this knowledge's translation into the actual advantages to people, say, its efficacy relies on a variety of factors linked to both "individual choices" and the policy decisions of the government.
For instance, for a person, the ability of adopting a plant-based diet would be impacted by several socio-economic factors like cost, availability and access, apparent advantages and challenges, refusal to change, health condition, age, low observance because of delectableness and acceptance.
To address such challenges, researchers said, they need to formulate tactics to "influence beliefs about plant-based diets," availability of plant foods, their cost, and the "multisectoral actions" to foster policy changes that focus on the ecological sustainability of the production of food, collection of science, and health impacts.
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Jul 27, 2020 06:40 AM EDT
