According to several international, regional, and national guidelines on hypertension, lifestyle interventions are the first-line treatment to lower blood pressure. Although diet is one of the major lifestyle modifications listed in hypertension guidelines, dietary fiber is not specified. Suboptimal intake of fiber-rich foods, such as Westernized diets, is a major contributor to non-communicable disease mortality and morbidity due to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. In a new review study, scientists from Monash University and the University of New South Wales addressed this deficiency by investigating and recommending dietary fiber intake as an important lifestyle modification to manage high blood pressure.

Jama other. Call for inclusion of dietary fiber in clinical guidelines for hypertension.

Dr Francine Marquez, a researcher at Monash University, said: “Despite a number of guidelines recommending lifestyle modification as a first-line treatment for hypertension, specific recommendations regarding fiber intake are severely lacking.” said.

“Dietary fiber has emerged as an important, yet underappreciated, part of hypertension management.”

“Our comprehensive analysis highlights the evidence supporting the effectiveness of dietary fiber in lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events.”

“Our findings have important implications for public health efforts and future hypertension guidelines.”

“By recognizing the important role of dietary fiber, health care professionals can take proactive steps to address high blood pressure and promote cardiovascular health.”

In this review, researchers found that increased dietary fiber intake was associated with significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, independent of pharmacological interventions. .

It is estimated that every additional 5 grams of fiber per day reduces systolic blood pressure by 2.8 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 2.1 mmHg.

Dietary fiber promotes cardiovascular health through a variety of mechanisms, including modulating gut flora and producing short-chain fatty acids.

These fatty acids produce anti-inflammatory effects, regulate immune function, and contribute to lower blood pressure.

Despite the obvious benefits of dietary fiber, global intake remains inadequate, with average intake remaining at approximately 11 grams per day.

This review provides evidence-based recommendations to effectively manage high blood pressure, with a minimum intake of at least 28g per day for women and 38g per day for men. is recommended.

It also provides resources for healthcare teams and patients on which foods to prioritize to increase fiber intake and achieve recommendations.

“Our study highlights the urgent need for healthcare professionals to prioritize dietary fiber as essential to hypertension management,” said Dr. Marquez.

“By incorporating dietary fiber into treatment plans and allowing patients to increase their dietary fiber intake, we can significantly reduce the burden of hypertension and improve cardiovascular disease outcomes.”

The paper was published in a magazine high blood pressure.

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Hamdi A. Jama other. Recommendations for the use of dietary fiber to improve blood pressure control. high blood pressure, published online on April 8, 2024. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.123.22575