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Plant-Based Diet Reverses Heart Disease in Hypertension Patients
18 Nov
Summary
- Plant-based diet prevents and reverses coronary microvascular dysfunction in hypertension patients
- Beneficial effects of plant-based diet persist despite continued high blood pressure
- Study conducted on hypertensive rats, paving way for human clinical trials
According to a recent study, switching to a plant-based diet may help prevent and even reverse heart disease in hypertension patients. The study, conducted by researchers at Georgia State University, focused on coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), a type of heart disease caused by damage to the tiny blood vessels that regulate blood flow to heart tissue.
CMD can lead to frequent chest pain, hospitalization, heart failure, and even death, and it affects women more severely than men. The current treatment options are only moderately effective, and patients continue to have poor outcomes after hospital admission.
The researchers found that a plant-based diet comprising 28% fruits, nuts, vegetables, and legumes not only prevented the development of CMD in hypertensive rats but also reversed the condition in those who already had it. Interestingly, the beneficial effects of the plant-based diet occurred despite the persistence of hypertension, suggesting that the diet had a targeted effect on the small blood vessels of the heart.
The researchers believe the benefits of the plant-based diet come from improved function of blood vessel cells, which enables them to dilate normally again and counteract the damaging effects of high blood pressure. This study is one of the first to demonstrate that diet can help treat CMD, paving the way for future human clinical trials.
