Comparing Keto and Mediterranean Diets: Each Potentially Aids in Blood Pressure Reduction
Managing high blood pressure, or hypertension, can be done effectively through various lifestyle changes. For instance, adopting popular diets like the Mediterranean and keto can help lower blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health.
In a recent study, researchers recruited 26 individuals with obesity or overweight, high blood pressure, and moderate cardiovascular risk scores. They assigned eleven participants to follow the Mediterranean diet, while the remaining fifteen followed the keto diet route for a period of three months. Both groups showed a reduction in blood pressure and weight loss at the study's conclusion.
The researchers also noted a difference between the groups when it came to "nocturnal dipping." Participants on the keto diet had a higher level of nocturnal dipping, which is a measure of healthy blood pressure regulation and is linked to a lower risk of heart disease.
Dr. Chen, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, commented that while both diets are different, the results suggest that various dietary techniques can achieve the same beneficial outcomes, depending on the preferences of an individual. The research mimics what Dr. Mir Ali, a bariatric surgeon, recommends to his patients, emphasizing a reduction in carbohydrate and sugar intake for a healthier lifestyle.
While these diets can be beneficial for weight loss and blood pressure management, it's essential to consult with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) to determine the best dietary plan tailored to individual needs, current health conditions, and lifestyle choices. Working with an RDN can help achieve and sustain realistic goals for long-term health improvements.
- The research on managing hypertension through lifestyle changes also highlighted the importance of considering various diet types, such as the Mediterranean and keto, for effective weight management and improved cardiovascular health.
- In a study involving individuals with obesity or overweight, high blood pressure, and moderate cardiovascular risk scores, it was observed that both the Mediterranean and keto diets showed promising results in reducing blood pressure and promoting weight loss.
- Notably, participants following the keto diet demonstrated higher levels of nocturnal dipping, a measure indicative of healthy blood pressure regulation and a lower risk of heart disease.
- Dr. Chen, a cardiologist, noted that both diets, though different, can lead to the same beneficial outcomes, depending on personal preferences, and that reducing carbohydrate and sugar intake is key to leading a healthier lifestyle.
- When it comes to determining the most suitable dietary plan, consulting with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) is vital, as they can help create an individualized plan based on current health conditions, personal needs, and lifestyle choices to ensure long-term health improvements and weight-management goals.
- In the field of health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, science continues to support the notion that effective weight management, fitness, and nutritional considerations are key to addressing conditions like obesity and hypertension, thereby improving overall health.
