Fruits and vegetables in diet can lower blood pressure, improve kidney health

Diets rich in fruits and vegetables have been found to lower blood pressure, reduce cardiovascular risks, and improve kidney health.

This is highlighted in a new study published in The American Journal of Medicine.

Despite the ongoing efforts to treat hypertension with medications, cases of hypertension-related chronic kidney disease and heart disease are on the rise. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for patients with chronic kidney disease.

The DASH diet, which is rich in fruits and vegetables, is known to reduce blood pressure and is recommended as the primary treatment for hypertension. However, it is often under-prescribed and under-used despite strong evidence supporting its benefits.

Diets high in fruits and vegetables are linked to lower blood pressure, reduced risk of chronic kidney disease, and lower chances of cardiovascular diseases and deaths.

Previous animal studies showed that a diet high in animal products (acid-producing) can harm the kidneys, while a diet high in fruits and vegetables (base-producing) is healthier for the kidneys.

Similar results were found in human studies. They hypothesised that fruits and vegetables are beneficial for both kidneys and the heart because they reduce dietary acid.

To test this, a five-year study was conducted with 153 participants who had hypertension and very high levels of urine albumin excretion, indicating chronic kidney disease and a high risk of cardiovascular disease. Participants were divided into three groups:

• Those who added 2-4 cups of fruits and vegetables to their daily diet.
• Those who took sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) tablets twice daily.
• Those who received standard medical care.
• The study found that both fruits and vegetables and NaHCO3 improved kidney health. However, only fruits and vegetables also reduced blood pressure and improved cardiovascular disease risk indicators.

Dr Maninder Kahlon, a co-investigator, noted that fruits and vegetables achieved these benefits with lower doses of medication, making them a more effective treatment option.

The team recommends starting hypertension treatment with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and adding medications as needed.

Dr Wesson emphasised the importance of dietary interventions for managing chronic diseases, noting their effectiveness in protecting kidney and cardiovascular health. He calls for increased efforts to incorporate healthy diets into patient care and make them more accessible.

The researchers also advise patients with hypertension to ask their doctors to measure a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) to check for underlying kidney disease and increased cardiovascular risk.