It may seem that the effect of dietary regulation on arterial pressure has already been thoroughly investigated. Hypertension is a factor of risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. In order to lower blood pressure, scientists recommend some changes, which include not only drugs and exercises but also following a balanced diet. It actualizes the necessity of investigating the single nutrients’ effects and nutrient interactions. The paper presents three studies on the relation between nutrition and blood pressure reduction. They may serve as evidence of the need to include dietary changes in the treatment programs that deal with the issue of blood pressure.
Firstly, vegetable intake might be one of the effective methods so as to lower arterial pressure. In their study on the relation between nitrate-rich vegetable consumption and decrease in blood pressure, Jonvik et al. (2018) came to a conclusion that “vegetable beverages induced a substantial reduction in blood pressure.” Although there are several slight risks relating to acute nitrate supplementation, such as developing cancer, the cardiovascular advantages outweigh these risks. The researchers have not found any acute serious negative effects of the consumption of nitrate-rich plants (Jonvik et al., 2018). Moreover, beverages, such as rocket salad drink, beetroot juice, and spinach drink, considerably enhance nitrite concentrations and plasma nitrate. It means that nitrate-rich products can be applied as dietary supplements, which are also beneficial for blood pressure decline. In other words, the consumption of nitrate-rich greens, such as spinach and rocket salad, can contribute to blood pressure decrease and might be implemented in a nutrition program along with medications.
Secondly, polyphenol‐rich products implemented in nutrition may be considered as a measure to lower blood pressure. It should be mentioned that polyphenols in nutrition can be exemplified by some products, such as tea, cocoa, apples, citrus fruits, and onions. In his research related to polyphenols, Williamson (2017) claim that a “diet high in polyphenol‐rich fruit, vegetables, cocoa, and beverages” can defend against developing cardiovascular disease and type two diabetes. In addition, it is proved that flavanols, which is the largest class of plant polyphenols, reduce endothelial dysfunction, lower cholesterol and blood pressure. In other terms, tea and coffee, which are the main sources of flavanols, diminish blood pressure due to the activity of their constituent polyphenols and can be regarded as an effective additional measure in addition to remedies.
Thirdly, with regard to nutrient interactions, not only individual substances but also a complex diet can be considered as a method of lowering blood pressure. While investigating the impact of dietary patterns on blood pressure in adults, Ndanuko et al. (2016) found that healthy dietary patterns considerably dropped systolic blood pressure. For example, the Nordic diet that includes seafood products and pork consumption and the Mediterranean diet that prohibits semi-finished products and fast food can be used as a method to lower BP.
To conclude, there are several characteristics related to nutrition that can prove the necessity of implementing nutrition changes instead of using only medications. Both single nutrients, such as coffee and nitrate-rich vegetable, as well as complex diets, for example, Nordic, can lower blood pressure. Hence, it can be said that adding certain substances to nutrition and complex diets is an effective method of prevention and eradication of hypertension, which can cause heart disease, heart attack, and kidney disease.
References
Jonvik, K. L., Nyakayiru, J., Pinckaers, P. J., Senden, J. M., van Loon, L. J., & Verdijk, L. B. (2016). Nitrate-rich vegetables increase plasma nitrate and nitrite concentrations and lower blood pressure in healthy adults. Journal of Nutrition, 146(5), 986–993. Web.
Ndanuko, R. N., Tapsell, L. C., Charlton, K. E., Neale, E. P., & Batterham, M. J. (2016). Dietary patterns and blood pressure in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Advances in Nutrition: An International Review Journal, 7(1), 76–89. Web.
Williamson, G. (2017). The role of polyphenols in modern nutrition. Nutrition Bulletin, 42, 226–235. Web.