Vegetarian diet lowers blood pressure

While researchers have long known that vegetarians have lower blood pressure, the mechanisms have not been clear. Now, a new study has found that diet, not lifestyle, influences blood pressure. The review of 80 studies and clinical trials suggested that a vegetarian diet dramatically reduces the risk of hypertension. In one study, vegetarians had half the prevalence of high blood pressure as non-vegetarians. Overall, the trials examined in the review showed that replacing animal products, including dairy, with vegetable products lowered blood pressure in both people with normal blood pressure and in those with hypertension. One reason: vegetarians tend to be slimmer. Additionally, vegetarians eat more fruits and vegetables, which are high in potassium; potassium has been shown to help reduce blood pressure. And meat-free diets are lower in saturated fat, which can cause hypertension.