Whole Grains and Bran as Blood Pressure-Friendly Foods

Check out the article on blood pressure foods that appeared in the 8/28/09 edition of HealthDay News.

Reporter Steven Reinberg feature information on a Harvard study that discovered that whole grain foods and foods high in bran help keep blood pressure down at heart-healthy levels, especially for the male of the species.

The report can be found in the September issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

31,684 men took part in the study. None had high blood pressure, cancer, heart disease or had a stroke at the time they signed up.

The lead researcher, Dr. Alan J. Flint, project director at Harvard School of Public Health of the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, reported that

"Higher intake of whole grains was associated with a lower risk of hypertension in our cohort of over 31,000 men." 

The results of the study showed

• men who ate the highest amount of whole grains were almost 20 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure compared than men who consumed the least amount of whole grains.
• men who ate the most bran lowered their risk of developing high blood pressure by 15 percent

The reasons why whole grains seem to affect blood pressure are unclear, but there are several theories centering on improved insulin sensitivity, lower food intake, lower blood sugar, better control of high blood pressure and less need for blood pressure medications. Nutritionists have long said whole grains contain nutrients and antioxidants which promote overall health by helping to keep weight down and reducing the risk of diabetes or heart disease.

Read more by clicking on foods that lower blood pressure.