BETA-GLUCANS: HELP FOR THE PRESSURE

Increased consumption of beta-glucans (soluble dietary fiber) is associated with lower values of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) is what emerges from a review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in healthy subjects recently published in the Journal of Hypertension.

The results of the study are in line with the recommendations of many nutritionists to increase the consumption of dietary fiber. "In addition to prescription drugs, the management of hypertension involves changes in lifestyle, such as maintaining a healthy weight, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol consumption and dietary changes as a diet low in salt and rich in fruits and vegetables, "say the authors of the research, led by Charlotte EL Evans, of the School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds (UK).

"The magnitude of the effect noticed at the individual level in the trial of dietary intervention is usually relatively small. For example it is seen that a reduction of 1 kg of the weight corresponds to a reduction of 1 mmHg in SBP and DBP. In any case, these small effects can result in significant reductions in the incidence of hypertension at the level of the general population "continue. "It is estimated that every 2 mmHg decrease in SBP and DBP for each mmHg of decline are associated with a 10% reduction in the population of cardiovascular risk."
"Despite recommendations for increased consumption of fruits and vegetables are included in the guidelines for the reduction of blood pressure (BP), the same can be said about the consumption of fiber 'underline Evans and co-workers, despite various revisions and studies have demonstrated a significant inverse relationship between fiber intake and blood pressure. "A diet high in fiber, particularly if in soluble fiber, is associated with additional health outcomes, such as better control of blood glucose and lipid profile."

Few studies to date have evaluated the impact of different types of fiber on BP. The authors have therefore performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials using random effects models. Eligibility criteria for the study have included trials (published between 1 January 1990 and 1 December 2013) of at least 6 weeks duration, in which a fiber isolated or a fiber diet was tested compared a control or placebo

Twenty-eight trials met the inclusion criteria and reported data on intake of fiber. Eighteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Trials were classified according to 12 categories according to the type of fiber, based on the chemical structure: nine categories related to isolated fibers and three-included complex mixtures of fibers. The pooled estimates for all types of fiber amounted to -0.9 mmHg (95% CI: -2.5 to 0.6 mmHg) and -0.7 mmHg (95% CI: -1.9 to 0.5 mmHg), respectively for SBP and DBP. The median difference in the fibers on the total was 6 grams. The analysis on the specific types of fiber leads to the conclusion that diets rich in beta-glucans reduce SBP of 2.9 mmHg (95% CI: 0.9 to 49 mm Hg) and DBP by 1.5 mmHg (95% CI: 0.2 to 2.7 mmHg) for a median difference in beta-glucans of 4 g. The heterogeneity for individual types of fiber was generally low.

"In general," the authors conclude, "the studies included in the review reported reductions in SBP and DBP in both groups at high fiber content in both comparison groups, but the greatest reductions were observed in participants with the highest consumption beta-glucans. "

Source: Medical News

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