• A diet rich in plant-based foods can include a limited amount of animal products and still improve blood pressure, new research from University of Warwick demonstrates
• Researchers compared the impact of seven plant-based diets on blood pressure in a systematic review of previous studies
• High blood pressure is the leading risk factor globally for heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases
• Lead author Joshua Gibbs of University of Warwick: “Essentially, any shift towards a plant-based diet is a good one.”

Consuming a plant-based diet can lower blood pressure even if small amounts of meat and dairy are consumed too, according to new research from the University of Warwick.

Published online by a team from Warwick Medical School in the Journal of Hypertension today (25 July), they argue that any effort to increase plant-based foods in your diet and limit animal products is likely to benefit your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular disease. They conducted a systematic review of previous research from controlled clinical trials to compare seven plant-based diets, several of which included animal products in small amounts, to a standardised control diet and the impact that these had on individuals’ blood pressure.

Release date: 25 July 2020