High BP? Try cholesterol-lowering 'portfolio diet'

If you have high blood pressure, you should opt for a diet developed for reducing cholesterol as a new study has revealed that 'portfolio diet' can lower it.

The research was a secondary analysis of data collected for a 2011 study on the effect of the 'portfolio diet' on cholesterol.

The portfolio diet lowered blood pressure by an average two per cent, when compared with another diet recommended to reduce hypertension.

The portfolio diet includes foods that are scientifically-proven to lower cholesterol including mixed nuts, soy protein, plant sterols (found in vegetable oils and leafy vegetables) and viscous fiber (found in oats, barley and eggplant). The comparison method, a dietary approach to stopping hypertension, or DASH diet, emphasizes fruit, vegetables and whole grains, reduced meat and dairy intake, and eliminating snack food.

This is a very important secondary finding to the original study, adding to the literature connecting diet with health, said lead author David Jenkins, and adding "It fills in yet another area we often worry about. We can now say the dietary portfolio is ideal for reducing overall risk of cardiovascular disease."

The modest, two per cent reduction in blood pressure on the portfolio diet is in addition to the five to ten millimeter blood pressure improvement associated with a DASH-type diet. Although the DASH diet had higher compliance rates, the portfolio diet was more effective in reducing blood pressure.

Jenkins said the diet's positive effect on cholesterol has already impacted guidelines in Canada and Europe.

The study is published today in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Disease.