People with hypertension should adapt their diet, either with a diet low in salt or a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and grains. But not both.
Poor diet, overweight, alcohol, tobacco. The following are factors that can lead to hypertension in adults. Even if it is always difficult to find a precise cause. Hypertension results in an abnormal increase in the pressure of the blood on the walls of the arteries. It can cause cardiovascular disease or stroke.
And to avoid it, two validated dietary approaches are recommended: the salt-free diet or the so-called DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), which has been in existence since 1997. Inspired by the diet of vegetarians, this DASH diet consists of fruits and vegetables, grains and dairy products. Red meat is not recommended, but replaced by poultry or fish.
A diet inspired by vegetarians
A study, presented at the American Heart Association meeting, shows how combining the two can dramatically lower blood pressure. The researchers followed 412 adults, divided into four groups, based on their systolic blood pressure (pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and ejects blood). These 412 adults were either on the salt-free diet or on the DASH diet for four weeks.
Risks of hypotension?
Researchers have found that with either one, the result is broadly the same. A significant drop in blood pressure. But with the two combined, blood pressure is much lower than with just one type of diet.
The more severe the person’s hypertension, the more their blood pressure drops. And when it is too low, we then have hypotension. The opposite of hypertension, which also has harmful consequences such as dizziness or blurred vision.
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