A recent study has shown that adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet can significantly lower blood pressure and improve heart and kidney health, especially for people with high blood pressure (hypertension).
These findings, published in The American Journal of Medicine, highlight the importance of diet in managing chronic conditions like hypertension.
High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and kidney failure. For people with chronic kidney disease, the risk of heart-related deaths is even higher.
Despite the availability of medications to treat hypertension, the number of people suffering from related heart and kidney problems continues to grow.
The study supports the effectiveness of the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), which focuses on eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.
This diet has been proven to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. However, it is not widely recommended by doctors, and even when it is, many patients find it hard to stick to.
Dr. Donald E. Wesson, a kidney specialist at The University of Texas at Austin and the lead investigator of the study, explained how diet affects kidney health. He found that eating foods high in acid, such as animal products, can damage the kidneys.
In contrast, fruits and vegetables, which produce a base effect in the body, help protect the kidneys. These foods also benefit heart health.
To test this idea, researchers conducted a five-year study involving 153 participants with high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease. The participants were divided into three groups:
- One group added 2–4 cups of fruits and vegetables to their daily diet.
- Another group took sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) tablets to reduce acid in their bodies.
- The third group received standard medical care without specific dietary changes.
The results were clear: both the fruits-and-vegetables group and the sodium bicarbonate group showed improvements in kidney health.
However, only the group eating more fruits and vegetables experienced lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of heart disease. Additionally, these participants needed lower doses of blood pressure medication.
Dr. Maninder Kahlon, a co-investigator of the study, pointed out that while both approaches helped the kidneys, the unique benefits of fruits and vegetables—such as lowering blood pressure and reducing heart disease risk—make them the preferred first step in treatment.
The researchers suggested that patients with high blood pressure should try improving their diet before turning to medication.
Dr. Wesson acknowledged that changing eating habits can be difficult, but the benefits are worth the effort. He urged doctors to help patients make healthy diets more accessible and to encourage fruits and vegetables as a key part of treatment.
He also recommended that people with high blood pressure ask their doctors to check their urine for a test called the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), which can identify early signs of kidney disease and assess heart disease risk.
This study shows how simple dietary changes can have a big impact on managing high blood pressure and preventing serious health problems.
By focusing on fruits and vegetables, patients can improve their long-term health, reduce their need for medication, and protect their hearts and kidneys.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about top foods to love for a stronger heart, and why oranges may help fight obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
For more health information, please see recent studies about simple guide to a 7-day diabetes meal plan, and why you should add black beans to your plate.
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