A new study has recently revealed that fruits and vegetables can effectively treat hypertension. It can reduce blood pressure and cardiovascular risk and effectively improve kidney health.
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is a fruit-rich treatment that is recommended for primary hypertension. Some previous studies have revealed its effectiveness in reducing blood pressure. But it is still under-prescribed and under-implemented.
This study was focused on the kidney’s mechanisms for removing acid from the blood and converting it into urine. In this study, researchers found that chronic exposure to diet that produces acid can cause kidney injury in animals.
The researchers hypothesized that a diet high in fruits and vegetables is important for the health of kidney and heart. They reduce the amount of acid in the diet that the kidneys need to remove from the body. This study shows that it is very important to follow a balanced diet to keep kidney and heart healthy.
Researchers conducted a study that involved participants without hypertension. But these participants had macroalbuminuria- a condition that is characterized by high urine albumin excretion. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that patients with macroalbuminuria have chronic kidney disease and a high risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Then they involved 153 people with hypertension and followed them for five years. They divided them into three groups: those adding base-producing fruits and vegetables, those prescribed NaHCO3 tablets, and those receiving standard medical care from primary care clinicians.
When researchers observed the results, they found that fruits and vegetables and NAHCO3 improved kidney health. They also found that fruits and vegetables reduced blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease. But NaHCO3 did not reduce blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers of this study said that fruits and vegetables can improve kidney health. They can also reduce the risk of blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
The research team also suggested that healthcare professionals should start hypertension treatment with fruits and vegetables. They should prescribe medication as needed because it is more effective than starting with drugs. They also suggested hypertension patients should measure urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) to assess kidney disease and cardiovascular risk.
The results of this study were recently published in  The American Journal of Medicine. These are very important as they can help people with hypertension. Hence healthcare professionals should consider this study and should suggest eating more fruits and vegetables to people with hypertension.
Reference Link:
Kidney and Cardiovascular Protection Using Dietary Acid Reduction in Primary Hypertension: A Five-Year, Interventional, Randomized, Control Trial, The American Journal of Medicine (2024). 
