# Plant-Based Diets Shown to Fight Hypertension in Black People

**By Neal Barnard, MD, FACC** · 2020-07-28

![fight-hypertension](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0319/0960/9603/files/hypertension_crop-300x195.jpg)

Black people had a nearly twofold higher mortality rate than their white peers for hypertension-related heart disease deaths in 2018, according to a new study in the journal [_Hypertension_](https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/07/13/high-blood-pressure-increasingly-deadly-for-black-people).

While several factors played a role in this disparity, a plant-based diet is one way to [help fight high blood pressure.](https://www.pcrm.org/health-topics/high-blood-pressure) One study found that a plant-based diet reduced hypertension risk by 44% in Black Americans.

The [study](https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/vegetarians-and-vegans-have-lower-risk-heart-disease) looked at the diets of 592 African American participants from the Adventist Health Study-2 and categorized them into three eating patterns: vegetarian/vegan, pesco-vegetarian, and nonvegetarian. Those who consumed a vegetarian/vegan diet had a 44% reduced risk for hypertension, lower blood pressure, half the risk of diabetes, and a healthier weight.

Research has long shown the benefit of a plant-based diet for high blood pressure. A Physicians Committee review published in [_JAMA Internal Medicine_](https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/vegetarians-have-lower-blood-pressure) looked at 39 studies and found that vegetarian diets were associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures, compared with omnivorous diets. A study in the _[Journal of Geriatric Cardiology](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5466938/)_ concluded that consuming a diet that is mostly or exclusively plant-based appears beneficial for both the prevention and treatment of hypertension.

Fruits and vegetables [high in potassium](https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/potassium-may-prevent-high-blood-pressure-later-life), such as tomato products, potatoes and sweet potatoes, lima beans, leafy greens, mushrooms, bananas and oranges, may be especially beneficial. Reducing sodium intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising can also help reduce the risk of hypertension.

_Photo from [here](https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-green-tank-top-holding-orange-bell-pepper-3622643/), with thanks._

**Tags:** blood pressure, Category_Diet, Category_Health Concerns, hypertension, vegan, vegetarian

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> Source: [Village Green Apothecary](https://myvillagegreen.com/blogs/post/plant-based-diets-fight-hypertension-in-black-people)