News - Hypertension Week of July 27, 2003/ Vol. 2 No. 30

Study: Mediterranean Diet Reduces Risk of High Blood Pressure

People who consume a Mediterranean type of diet appear be at lower risk of developing high blood pressure, according to a study reported in the August issue of the Journal of Hypertension.

A Mediterranean-type diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish and uses olive and canola oil as its primary source of fat.

A team of Greek researchers evaluated the association between hypertension and the adoption of a Mediterranean diet.

The study involved 1,128 men and 1,154 women over the age of 18. Hypertension was found in 38 percent of the men and 24 percent of the women participants. A special questionnaire filled out by participants was used to determine whether or not they had adopted a Mediterranean diet.

The researchers found that consumption of a Mediterranean diet was associated with a 26 percent lower risk of hypertension and a 36 percent higher probability of having blood pressure under control.

Other sources: Journal of Hypertension 2003;21(8):1483-9