High blood pressure or hypertension is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, possible damage to the kidneys and even the eyes, which in Spain affects almost 14 million people. To control it, experts say that exercising and eating a healthy and varied diet are key factors for this. Now, a recent study by the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center in Osaka (Japan) ensures that people who follow a vegetarian diet have the lowest blood pressure . The results of the work have been published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine .
To reach this conclusion, the group of researchers conducted a meta-analysis of all existing studies on the relationship between vegetarian diets and blood pressure. In total , about 22,000 cases were studied .
The resolution was that people who base their diet on the consumption of fruits, legumes and vegetables (and who do not eat any type of meat, although they do eat fish, eggs and some dairy products) tend to have the lowest blood pressure. Blood pressure is considered to be at normal levels when the systolic (the maximum) is below 120 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and the diastolic (the minimum) is below 80. As of 140/90, we would be talking of hypertension.
This statement could lead to the use of the vegetarian diet as an instrument against hypertension without the need to take any type of medication . In addition, the adoption of a vegetarian diet would not only lead to a drop in blood pressure but also other positive effects such as weight loss or cholesterol reduction, all without taking any kind of drug.
