According to Reuters, a review of past studies shows that your buddy who tells you meat is murder, might be talking about what it's doing to you.
Studies show that people who consume vegetarian diets have lower blood pressure, and that switching to a vegetarian diet may be a good way to reduce blood pressure sans medication. A vegetarian diet is one that eschews meat, but may contain dairy and eggs. The focus is on produce, legumes, and grains instead.
High blood pressure is a nasty biological problem, which can contribute to a large range of ailments. Heart disease, kidney problems, and strokes can all be caused by high blood pressure. There are medicinal ways of treating this; certain medications can reduce blood pressure if prescribed by a doctor.
Yoko Yokoyama, a researcher from the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center in Osaka, and lead author of the study, believes that this news may be uplifting to those who feel trapped with high blood pressure. "If a diet change can prevent blood pressure problems or can reduce blood pressure, it would give hope to many people."
The review of these studies compiled the data from 39 previous studies. The comprehensive look, which was published in JAMA Internal Medicine, looked at over 22,000 people.
The studies showed that vegetarians had a lower blood pressure than the meat eaters, which according to Yokoyama, makes sense. "Plant-based foods are often low in sodium and are rich in potassium, and potassium lowers blood pressure."
A vegetarian diet also lowers cholesterol, and has the benefit of weight loss, as well as presenting a diet which is low in saturated fats.
There has been some debate as to these findings, as those seeking to engage in a vegetarian diet without study may make missteps. A piece of grilled chicken breast is still lower in sodium and saturated fat then a meat-free slice of quiche.
Before you drop the meat and stop taking your blood pressure pills, talk to your medical care provider about the proper steps to taking up such a diet.
