Could A Diet with Lower Glycemic Index Improve Blood Pressure Levels?

Consuming a diet with a lower glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) may help to reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure, according to the results of a recent study.

The researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials that included high- and low-GI or –GL diets and measures of blood pressure, were at least 6 weeks long, and involved healthy participants. Overall, 1097 participants were included in the analysis. Of the 14 studies, 13 provided reported differences in GI between control and intervention arms, with a median reduction in GI of 10 units reducing overall pooled estimates for systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure by 1.1 mm Hg and 1.3 mm Hg, respectively.
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Nine trials reported on the differences in GL between the study arms, with a median reduction in GL of 28 units reducing the overall pooled estimates for systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure by 2.0 mm Hg and 1.4 mm Hg, respectively.

“This review of healthy individuals indicated that a lower glycemic diet may lead to important reductions in blood pressure,” the researchers concluded. “However, many of the trials included in the analysis reported important sources of bias.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Evans CE, Greenwood DC, Threapleton DE, et al. Glycemic index, glycemic load, and blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2017;105(5):1176-1190.