A study that was done by the Warmick Medical School has highlighted the health benefits of going plant based. The researchers found that a plant-based eating plan with limited meat and dairy can lower your blood pressure. They reviewed seven plant based diets and examined the impacts that various foods had on blood pressure.
A plant-based eating plan is one that is high in vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts and seeds. The consumption of animal products is limited. High blood pressure is one of the top health problems today. There are many health benefits that can be reaped from lowering your blood pressure. You can reduce your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke.
The foods that you eat can have a positive or negative impact on your health and fitness. In fact, unhealthy foods cause more deaths than drug use, alcohol use, unsafe sex and tobacco use.
Vegetarian and vegan diets have been shown to lower blood pressure. However, it may not be feasible to sustain these diets for long periods of time. Until now, researchers did not know whether a plant-based diet had a significant effect on blood pressure.
Joshua Gibbs is a student at the University of Warwick School of Life sciences. He is also the lead author of the study. He stated that the team reviewed 41 studies that examined different types of diets. This includes vegan diets, Mediterranean diet vegetarian diets, the DASH diet, high fiber diet, Nordic diet as well as high fruit and high vegetable diets.
They found that all of those diets can reduce blood pressure. The DASH eating plan had the greatest impact on blood pressure. Joshua stated that the findings of the study were significant. They found that a plant-based eating plan with limited meat can reduce the risk of a stroke by 14 percent. People who follow a plant-based diet also have a 9 percent reduction in heart attack risk and a 7 percent reduction in overall mortality.
Professor Cappucio, who works at Warwick University, is another one of the study authors. He has highlighted other benefits that can be reaped from following a plant-based eating plan. He stated that this diet has environmental benefits. It can help conserve water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Weight loss is another benefit that can be reaped from following a plant-based eating plan. However, there are challenges that many people face. The resistance to change, health status and economic difficulties can make it harder to follow a plant-based diet. Professor Cappucio stated that there should be a focus placed on policies that make it easier for people to have access to plant-based food.
Types of Plant-Based Diets
Nordic
This diet is high in plant foods, eggs, fish and vegetable fats. It limits dairy products, meats and sweets.
High Fruit And High Vegetable
Not only does this eating plan include a high amount of fruits and vegetables, but it also encourages moderate consumption of dark chocolate.
High Fiber
Fiber is a nutrient that is found in many plant-based foods. It is mainly found in legumes and whole grains.
Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian
This is an eating plan that excludes all animal products with the exception of eggs and dairy. It places emphasis on whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.
DASH
DASH diet places emphasis on whole grains, vegetables, nuts and seeds. The intake of sodium and sweets is limited.
Mediterranean
This eating plan encourages the consumption of whole grains, vegetables and fruits every day. It also encourages weekly consumption of eggs, fish, olive oil, fish and dairy. People are encouraged to consume red meat in small amounts.
Vegan
Vegan diets are made up of exclusively plant-based foods. People who follow a vegan eating plan do not consume any type of animal product. This includes meat and dairy.
