Effects of vegetarian diets on blood pressure

Abstract

Hypertension is a major independent risk factor for coronary artery diseases, and the prevalence of hypertension is continuously increasing. Diet is an important factor that can be modified to prevent hypertension. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, dietary patterns are defined as the quantities, proportions, and variety or combinations of different foods and beverages in diets and the frequency with which they are habitually consumed. In this review, the vegetarian dietary pattern is introduced with a focus on the effect on blood pressure (BP). Although the available evidence is limited, according to a previous meta-analysis of controlled trials, vegetarian dietary patterns significantly reduced systolic and diastolic BPs. One of the common features of a vegetarian diet is weight loss, which might, at least partially, explain the effect on BP. Other possible factors such as sodium, potassium, protein, amino acids, vitamin B-12, antioxidants, fiber, and the microbiome are introduced as possible mechanisms. Further studies are needed with non-Western populations to determine the most effective vegetarian dietary pattern and to explore the exact mechanisms by which these dietary patterns affect BP.

Health-Related Quality of Life, Blood Pressure, and Biochemical and Anthropometric Profile in Vegetarians and Nonvegetarians

“…In addition to the absence of meat, the intake of specific foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes appear to have a protective effect on lowering blood pressure levels because these foods contain phytosterols, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats [ 12 ], which significantly lower serum cholesterol concentrations, which can be a risk factor for high blood pressure [ 38 ]. Although the protective actions of vegetarian diets on blood pressure are not very clear, there is evidence that the intake of essential nutrients such as soy protein, dietary fiber, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, act effectively in lowering blood pressure levels [ 47 , 48 ]. In this study, vegetarians had higher LDL levels than nonvegetarians.…”

“…The common possible factor that could explain the high LDL concentration and higher blood pressure levels in vegetarians would be the intake of refined carbohydrates, since their excessive consumption is associated with greater adverse effects not only on the lipid profile, but also on blood pressure [ 49 ]. On the other hand, although blood pressure levels were higher in vegetarians, it is interesting that they do not have a higher BMI than nonvegetarians, since obesity is the main risk factor related to hypertension [ 48 ]. Even so, it should be mentioned that data showing significant differences in blood pressure between vegetarians and nonvegetarians should not always be fully explained by BMI.…”

Knowledge of Vegetarian and Nonvegetarian Peruvian Dietitians about Vegetarianism at Different Stages of Life

“…[47][48][49] The health benefits of vegetarian diets are well documented. First of all, considering cardiovascular diseases, vegetarian diets have protective effects on blood cholesterol, 50 lower blood pressure, 51,52 which means lower rates of heart disease events. Similarly, vegetarians in comparison have a lower body mass index (BMI), 50 lower fasting blood sugar, 53 lower risk of diabetes, 54 and obesity.…”

Food security of the country: features of the protein diet of the population

“…В ході досліджень, проведених на достатньо широкій вибірці пацієнтів (понад 4500 осіб) B. Justin, L. Bradlee, R. Singer і L. Moore було встановлено, що споживання білка тваринного і рослинного походження приблизно у рівних пропорціях із загальним забезпеченням на рівні 0,9…1,1 г/кг маси тіла на добу сприяє запобіганню ризикам виникнення підвищеного артеріального тиску серед осіб середнього та старшого віку [39]. Причому, в результаті перехресних досліджень, проведених вченими Кафедри медицини, Медичного Бостонського університету Yokoyama Y., Tsubota K., Watanabe M., було встановлено кореляцію низького артеріального тиску і вегетаріанської дієти у осіб, які, відповідно, споживали рослинні білки, що може бути частково пояснено зниженням маси тіла [23].…”

“…[22], Yokoyama Y. [23]; австралійських вчених Nowson C. [24]; дослідників з Великої Британії, Cardon-Thomas D. [25], Lonnie M. [26]; німецьких вчених на чолі з Bauer J. [27,28]; французького дослідник Van Kan G. [29]; вченого з Фінляндії Virtanen Heli E. [30]; шведського вченого Hörnell A.…”