Can a Vegetarian Diet Reduce High Blood Pressure

In some cases high blood pressure can be hereditary, but in so many cases, it's the result of bad diet. When you eat a ton of meats, salts, and fats, you're just more prone to heart attack, stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

By watching what you eat, and monitoring your diet better, you can easily reduce high blood pressure without having to take medicines.

Those with high blood pressure tend to consume a good bit of salt in their diet, which in turn causes complications over how your body regulates fluids in the body. When your body retains water, it puts extra pressure on the entire cardiovascular system, which raises your blood pressure. Maintaining this diet over time, will cause a consistent and constant rise in blood pressure.

Dr. Ed Zimney, says that by 2025, about 1.56 billion people will suffer from high blood pressure, and as of 2010, about 90% of the American population already suffer it. The main cause is improper diet and poor nutrition. The thought is that by switching to a lower fat and higher plant- based diet, such as that practiced by vegetarians, there could be an 85% chance to reduce heart attack and 60% chance to reduce cancer. But, in regards to lowering blood pressure, a vegetarian diet has been proven to show differences.

When it comes to high blood pressure, a vegetarian diet may be the way to go. This is a good method of regulating high blood pressure without medications.

• Egg yolk is high in cholesterol, which can potentially increase blood pressure.
• Cheese and milk are all high in sodium, which can easily increase blood pressure.
  
• Butter is high in saturated fat, which will raise blood cholesterol and blood pressure.
• Milk contains a lot of salt, and should be monitored in cases of high blood pressure, although there have been instances where those who drink more milk than those who drink little or none will have lower cholesterol levels.
• Fats can increase blood pressure.
  

Studies have shown that vegetarian diets can lower blood pressure, but you just want to make sure to watch your protein consumption as well as vitamin intake. Some studies have shown that when comparing vegetarians to meat-eaters, there is a significant increase in the number of people who suffer high blood pressure.

If you want to change your diet to mimic a more vegetarian diet, you want to consider some of the following tips and guidelines for maintaining a healthy diet to lower your high blood pressure.

• If you're a vegetarian and consume some meats, keep in mind that fish contains oils that will help protect you from heart disease and can definitely help reduce high blood pressure. You can take omega 3 supplements if you're not a big fan of fish, or if you are a vegan.
• Make sure to consume plenty of dietary fiber to help lower high blood pressure. Dietary fiber pretty much consists of anything in your food that you can't digest and is passed through the body. Dietary fiber affects the way your food is absorbed into the body and how much you eat.
  
• You want to consume fiber from cereal, wholemeal bread, fruits, and vegetables. Peas, beans, and lentils have a high fiber content. By consuming more fiber, you will help reduce fat, weight, and cholesterol, which will in turn help to reduce high blood pressure.

• Try to increase your consumption of potassium, as potassium tends to help the body regulate blood pressure, as well as the effects of salt.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that the advice in this article should in no way replace that of a licensed physician. If you have any questions, please consult your doctor or a nutritionalist for any concerns or questions that you may have.