A Review on Efficacy of Dietary Approaches in The Management of Hypertension

Abstract

Hypertension (HTN), commonly known as the 'Silent Killer,' presents a significant worldwide health concern, with a prevalence of 24% in men and 21% among women in India. As lifestyle and food culture evolve, the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) is increasing, thereby impacting overall health. The primary objective of this study is to conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature with a view towards exploring the recent advancements in diet and nutritional approaches for individuals with HTN. This study aims to understand the importance of different diets such as the DASH diet, Mediterranean diet, potassium-rich diet, low salt diet and vegetarian diet which have been recommended globally owing to their varying ability to lower Blood Pressure (BP). Additionally, it emphasises the significance of protein in reducing BP, especially in India, where protein deficiency is highly prevalent. The study also investigates the role of simple and easily accessible functional foods that exhibit antihypertensive effects, with supporting evidence for their efficacy. The study's findings indicate that adopting a consistent diet regime, such as a balanced diet with sufficient high-quality protein (at least 0.83g/kg/day), along with generous portions of fruits, vegetables and reduced salt intake, has proven to be highly effective in managing BP. Complementing non-pharmacological interventions with lifestyle modifications, such as healthy eating, regular physical activity, weight management, abstaining from smoking, limiting alcohol consumption and implementing stress management techniques, can collectively contribute to preventing and controlling HTN, thus reducing the disease burden. An effective change in the daily diet consistent with current protein recommendations is helpful in BP control.