Study finds dietary fiber is important for managing high blood pressure

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Experts have called for fiber to be added to clinical guidelines for blood pressure management, saying it is “undervalued”.

A woman undergoing a blood pressure test — Approximately a quarter of all deaths in Australia are due to heart disease.

There is an “urgent need” for GPs to prioritize dietary fiber as part of their patients’ hypertension management, according to a new study.

Scientists at Monash University call for dietary fiber to be added to clinical guidelines for blood pressure management, saying it is an important tool in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease following a large-scale international study. ing.

Their evidence shows that women with hypertension need a minimum dietary fiber intake of 28 g per day, and men 38 g.

Furthermore, independent of pharmacological intervention, each additional 5 g/day is estimated to reduce systolic blood pressure by 2.8 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 2.1 mm Hg.

Researchers say this promotes a healthy gut microbiome and stimulates the production of short-chain fatty acids, which lower blood pressure.

However, lead author Associate Professor Francine Marquez said dietary fiber remained undervalued in hypertension management.

“Despite many guidelines recommending lifestyle modification as a first-line treatment for hypertension, specific recommendations regarding fiber intake are noticeably lacking,” she said.

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

The research comes as 18 per cent of Australians have cardiovascular disease, accounting for a quarter of deaths each year.

At the same time, around 70% of Australian adults have a fiber intake below the recommended amount.

Approximately 94% of adults do not meet daily fruit and vegetable intake recommendations, with 12% eating no fruit and 1.6% eating no vegetables.

A team of Monash scientists says health professionals should take proactive steps to tackle high blood pressure and promote cardiovascular health while disease rates continue to rise and healthy diets decline. states that they can take steps.

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

“The results of this review have important implications for public health efforts and future hypertension guidelines.”

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