Essentials of Health

Wednesday, January 26, 2005

Dietary fiber may help prevent hypertension

Dietary fiber intake in Western countries averages approximately 15 grams per day, which is about half the amount recommended by the American Heart Association and other health organizations. A new study published in the January 24th issue of Archives of Internal Medicine shows that increasing fiber intake may have a positive influence on blood pressure. Researchers performed a meta-analysis of 24 randomized placebo-controlled trials involving over 1,400 subjects to measure the impact of fiber supplementation on blood pressure. Fiber supplementation at an average of 11.5 grams per day reduced systolic blood pressure by 1.13 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.26 mm Hg. Reductions in blood pressure were larger in older (> 40 years) and hypertensive subjects.

Previous research has shown that fiber has a favorable effect on blood lipids and may help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. The present meta-analysis indicates that dietary fiber may contribute to prevention of hypertension, especially in Western populations where intake is far below recommended levels.