A healthier lifestyle often comes with the benefits of better health indicators.
In a recent study carried out by researchers at the University of Maine and other institutions, they discovered that a diet similar to the Mediterranean diet could lead to lower blood pressure among American adults.
This adds to the growing list of health benefits associated with the Mediterranean diet, popularly called the “Med diet”.
The Mediterranean Diet: A Bounty of Health
The Med diet is a nutritional model inspired by the traditional dietary patterns of countries like Greece, Spain, and Italy.
It includes high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, lean proteins such as fish and chicken, and moderate red wine. \This diet is known for its numerous health benefits, including its anti-inflammatory properties.
Previous Studies: The Limitations
While several studies have linked the Med diet to reduced blood pressure, these studies often relied on self-reported blood pressure values, which can be unreliable.
Furthermore, many did not thoroughly address additional variables related to hypertension.
Notably, most of these studies were conducted in Mediterranean populations, leading to doubts about the diet’s effectiveness in non-Mediterranean cultures, such as the United States.
The Study: Med Diet in a US Context
In a recent study, researchers focused on examining the relationship between adherence to a Med diet and blood pressure among older adults in the United States, averaging 62.2 years in age.
They discovered a strong correlation between higher adherence to the Med diet and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels.
The Implications: A Big Leap for Public Health
This study’s findings have significant implications. A minor decrease in systolic blood pressure by 2mmHg at the population level can reduce heart disease prevalence by 10%.
Thus, the adoption of a Med diet could be a crucial step towards improved cardiovascular health for Americans.
If you’re interested in learning more about controlling high blood pressure, consider reading studies about how common herbs may help lower high blood pressure, and how vitamin B can potentially reduce drug-resistant high blood pressure.
You can also refer to recent studies linking cannabis usage with a 3-fold higher death risk in people with high blood pressure and studies showing plant pigments can significantly reduce blood pressure.
The study, conducted by Fayeza Ahmed and her team, was published in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that could increase high blood pressure risk, and people with severe high blood pressure should reduce coffee intake.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and results showing plant-based foods could benefit people with high blood pressure.
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