More Fruits and Vegetables Can Improve Heart and Kidney Health for Hypertension Patients 

More Fruits and Vegetables Can Improve Heart and Kidney Health for Hypertension Patients. Credit | Getty Images
More Fruits and Vegetables Can Improve Heart and Kidney Health for Hypertension Patients. Credit | Getty Images

United States: Consuming a few more apples, broccoli florets, cucumbers, bananas, or green beans might significantly contribute to warding off the doctor, especially for individuals grappling with high blood pressure and at heightened risk for cardiac and renal ailments, as unveiled by recent findings. 

Dr Donald Wesson, a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin and the lead investigator of the study, elucidated, “For patients with elevated blood pressure, the predominant complications they face are heart disease and kidney disease.” 

“The research aimed to discern whether diminishing the dietary acid load could mitigate the complications associated with high blood pressure, particularly those related to renal and cardiac health,” Wesson elaborated. 

Notably, animal-based foods—especially meat—tend to generate acid in the body, whereas fruits and vegetables foster a more alkaline environment upon consumption, Wesson noted. 

To delve into the potential benefits of plant-based foods, researchers orchestrated a randomized control trial involving 153 individuals with hypertension and a significant risk of progressive chronic kidney disease. 

More Fruits and Vegetables Can Improve Heart and Kidney Health for Hypertension Patients. Credit | Getty Images
More Fruits and Vegetables Can Improve Heart and Kidney Health for Hypertension Patients. Credit | Getty Images

Participants were categorized into three cohorts, one that incorporated two to four cups of fruits and vegetables into their daily regimen, another that consumed two daily doses of baking soda (equivalent to four or five 650-milligram tablets), and a control group that continued with standard medical care. The study highlighted that baking soda helps in reducing dietary acid. 

After a five-year period of meticulous observation, the research concluded that both a plant-enriched diet and baking soda intake bolstered kidney health. However, only the group with increased fruit and vegetable consumption exhibited enhanced heart health, Wesson emphasized. 

“Our findings underscore the importance of integrating diets rich in fruits and vegetables as a cornerstone in managing patients with high blood pressure or hypertension,” he asserted. 

This study contributes to an expanding repository of literature underscoring the health benefits of plant-heavy diets, remarked Dr Marion Nestle, the Paulette Goddard Professor Emerita of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, who was not involved in the study. 

“While we’ve long recognized these benefits, it’s reassuring to see a reduction in kidney disease added to the list,” Nestle added. 

More Fruits and Vegetables Can Improve Heart and Kidney Health for Hypertension Patients. Credit | Getty Images
More Fruits and Vegetables Can Improve Heart and Kidney Health for Hypertension Patients. Credit | Getty Images

Incorporating More Fruits and Vegetables: A Practical Guide 

Even in the absence of high blood pressure, increasing fruit and vegetable intake is highly beneficial, Wesson advised. 

The American Heart Association recommends four to five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. For context, a serving may consist of five to eight broccoli florets, a banana, a cup of raw leafy greens, or four large strawberries. 

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) meal plan, known for its heart-health benefits, suggests consuming four to six servings of vegetables and an additional four to six servings of fruits, alongside three servings of whole grains, two to four servings of fat-free or low-fat dairy, and several servings of lean meats, nuts, seeds, and legumes each day. 

Despite the significant health benefits of dietary changes, they are often underemphasized, Wesson observed. 

“In our society, where access to and appeal of fruits and vegetables can be limited, adherence to such diets has historically been challenging for patients,” he noted. 

To enhance the appeal of fruits and vegetables, cardiologist Dr Andrew Freeman, who was not involved in the study, recommends experimenting with preparation methods. 

Seasonal fruits can be exceptionally sweet and flavorful, and adding seasonings and sauces—especially those tied to cultural heritage—can infuse vegetables with enjoyable flavors, suggested Freeman, who serves as the director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at the National Jewish Health in Denver. 

“There is a burgeoning trend in the culinary world where chefs are increasingly focused on making vegetables ‘unapologetically delicious,'” said Dr. Christopher Gardner, a research professor of medicine at the Stanford Prevention Research Center in California, via email. Gardner, who leads the center’s Nutrition Studies Research Group, was not part of the research. 

“Beyond just raw or steamed vegetables, there are numerous simple preparation techniques that can make them increasingly pleasurable to consume,” Gardner added. 

Harnessing Nutrition to Manage Chronic Conditions 

While medication remains a vital component of managing blood pressure, kidney disease, and heart disease, this study underscores the need for healthcare systems to prioritize nutrition as an integral part of treatment strategies. 

“A predominantly plant-based diet, though not necessarily exclusive, is clearly linked to overall well-being, reduced prevalence of chronic diseases—including kidney disease—and lower premature mortality,” Nestle concluded.