Diet prevents hypertension

(ifong)

On March 1, a new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, a bi-monthly international peer-reviewed journal, found Chinese men over the age of 40 with diets rich in fruit and milk opposed to vegetables or meat were less likely to develop pre- hypertension or hypertension.

The researchers from the China, South Korea and United States found dietary patterns in relation to blood pressure play a key role in the increased prevalence of hypertension in developing countries.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says, "hypertension is already a highly prevalent cardiovascular risk factor worldwide because of increasing longevity and prevalence of contributing factors such as obesity."

The study analyzed "39 252 men who reported no prior history of hypertension, diabetes, CHD, or stroke nor use of antihypertensive drugs" and their dietary patterns grouped as vegetable, fruit and milk, and meat.

Alcohol was also a factor in the research; those who consumed a greater amount of fruit and milk and were non-drinkers had the lowest blood pressure and "a lower prevalence of both pre-hypertension and hypertension."

"The treatment of hypertension has been shown to prevent cardiovascular diseases and to extend and enhance life, hypertension remains inadequately managed everywhere," explains the WHO.

Diet modification is an effective way to self-manage blood pressure by increasing daily intake of fresh fruits.

Full study, "Dietary patterns and blood pressure among middle-aged and elderly Chinese men in Shanghai": http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7293220