The effectiveness of plant-based nutrition in the treatment of arterial hypertension

Abstract

In the treatment of hypertension, an important role is played by the modification of the lifestyle of patients, especially the correction of their diet. Plant nutrition has the ability to improve blood pressure in such patients. However, a large number of types of vegetarian diets leave open the question of which of them is the best in the treatment of arterial hypertension.The aim of the study was to analyze the literature on the effectiveness of different plant-based diets in the treatment of hypertension and to determine whether the complete absence of animal products in a vegetarian diet is necessary to achieve a significant beneficial effect on blood pressure. The paper analyzes the data of many scientific studies and meta-analyses: the team of scientists from the University of Warwick; Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) research group; a prospective study of coronary risk in young adults (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults, CARDIA); analysis of three prospective cohorts - Nurses 'Health Study I (NHS I), Nurses' Health Study II (NHS II), and Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS); calibration sub-study Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2). The most common plant-based diets and their effect on blood pressure were analyzed: high-fruit and vegetable diet, high-fiber diet, Nordic, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, Mediterranean, vegan and DASH diets. All scientists confirm a positive correlation between the consumption of animal meat and the risk of developing hypertension and/or difficulties in its treatment.Conclusion. The study of literature data allows us to conclude about the important role of plant foods in the prevention and treatment of hypertension. The best results in lowering blood pressure were demonstrated by diets with a complete absence of animal products.