Comparison of Keto and Mediterranean Diets: Both Approaches May Reduce High Blood Pressure Levels
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Chronic hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects a vast number of folks worldwide, and fortunately, it can be controlled through lifestyle modifications. Among these changes, dieting plays a crucial role, and a couple of popular diets that show promise are the Mediterranean and ketogenic (keto) diets.
Research has consistently linked these diets to reduced blood pressure, and a recent study provides further evidence supporting theirability to enhance cardiovascular health for individuals with obesity or overweight.
In simple terms, hypertension can increase the risk of various health conditions, including heart disease and dementia. Apart from medication, people can manage their blood pressure through a variety of habits, such as quitting smoking, staying active, and adopting a balanced diet.
In the realm of dieting, the DASH diet has been traditionally recommended for hypertension. However, over the past few years, the Mediterranean and keto diets have gained traction for their ability to lower blood pressure readings.
A study published in April 2024 reported that following the Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced risk of high blood pressure. Another study published in July 2019 showed that those with type 2 diabetes who followed a low-carb diet like the keto diet experienced improvements in their blood pressure readings.
The latest study offers more evidence that both the Mediterranean and keto diets can help lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health for individuals with obesity or overweight.
The findings from this study were published in theJournal of Nutrients.
Both Mediterranean and Keto Diets Lead to Weight Loss and Lower Blood Pressure
For this investigation, researchers recruited 26 individuals with obesity or overweight, high blood pressure, and low-to-moderate cardiovascular risk scores. They randomly split the participants into two groups, with 11 following the Mediterranean diet and the remaining 15 following the keto diet over a period of three months.
At the conclusion of the study, researchers observed that participants in both diet groups experienced a decrease in blood pressure and weight loss after three months. They also observed increases in fat-free mass - the total body mass excluding fat - and decreases in body fat, blood lipid levels, and insulin concentrations.
Standout Findings in the Keto Diet GroupOne striking difference showed up in the area of nocturnal dipping. Participants following the keto diet demonstrated a higher level of "nocturnal dipping," which refers to the natural decrease in blood pressure at night. Abnormal nocturnal dipping patterns have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
Finding the Right Diet for You
When asked about this study and its findings, cardiologist Dr. Chen commented that while the Mediterranean and keto diets have different food restrictions, the study results suggest that a range of dietary techniques can lead to the same beneficial outcome, depending on an individual's preferences.
Importance of Reducing Carbohydrates and Sugars
Dr. Ali, another cardiologist, echoed this sentiment, noting that the keto and Mediterranean diets both emphasize reductions in carbohydrates and sugars - which is key to shifting the body's energy focus towards burning fat. He added that this study's findings reflect what he advises his patients to follow for weight loss and improved cardiovascular health.
Both obesity and heart disease pose serious challenges in the United States, so finding ways to combat these conditions is essential for improving public health. Further research, including larger controlled studies with a diverse population, will help validate these findings and assess the impact on clinical outcomes.
- Chronic hypertension can be controlled through lifestyle modifications, with dieting playing a significant role in these changes.
- Research consistently links popular diets like the Mediterranean and ketogenic (keto) diets to reduced blood pressure and improved cardiovascular health for individuals with obesity or overweight.
- The latest study supports the ability of both the Mediterranean and keto diets to lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health for those in question.
- The Mediterranean diet has been associated with a reduced risk of high blood pressure, according to a study published in April 2024.
- Another study published in July 2019 showed that those with type 2 diabetes who followed a low-carb diet like the keto diet experienced improvements in their blood pressure readings.
- Both Mediterranean and keto diets help lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health, leading to weight loss and a decrease in body fat.
- Striking differences were noted in the keto diet group, with higher levels of "nocturnal dipping," a natural decrease in blood pressure at night, contributing to improved heart health.
- Cardiologists suggest that a range of dietary techniques, such as the Mediterranean and keto diets, can lead to beneficial outcomes depending on an individual's preferences, as long as they focus on reducing carbohydrates and sugars that shift the body's energy focus towards burning fat.
