Hypertension on the Rise in Pune: Health Experts Recommend Plant-Based Diet and Lifestyle Changes for Better Health
Pune, 5th September 2024: Recent data from Pune’s public health department indicates a worrying rise in hypertension cases among men in the district. Out of the 31.79 lakh men screened under the ‘Nirogi Aarogya Tarunaiche Vaibhav Maharashtrache’ initiative, more than 5.53 lakh, or 17%, were found to be suffering from high blood pressure.
Often called the ‘silent killer,’ hypertension is a leading cause of early death worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that over one in four men and one in five women globally are affected by the condition. In India, the scenario is particularly concerning. A study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that over 90% of adults with hypertension in the country are either undiagnosed, untreated, or not managing their condition effectively. According to an ICMR report from earlier this year, adopting healthier diets and increasing physical activity can prevent up to 80% of type 2 diabetes and significantly lower the risk of coronary heart disease and hypertension.
Dr. Vanita Rahman, an expert in Internal Medicine and Certified Nutritionist with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), highlights the role of diet in combating hypertension. “A diet rich in whole, minimally-processed plant-based foods can have a profound effect on blood pressure management. These foods are naturally low in sodium and high in potassium and fiber, which are essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. In many cases, a plant-based diet can reduce or even eliminate the need for medication,” she explains. “Additionally, such a diet helps address related conditions, such as diabetes and high cholesterol.”
Research supports this approach. A study published in Progress in Cardiovascular Disease found that a plant-based diet can lower the risk of developing hypertension by 34%. Another study demonstrated that individuals following a healthy plant-based diet had lower blood pressure, while those on an unhealthy plant-based diet experienced higher blood pressure levels.
Key foods that contribute to healthy blood pressure include citrus fruits, garlic, pumpkin seeds, spinach, beans, lentils, berries, beets, and carrots. Reducing the intake of refined grains, added sugars, and meat can further support blood pressure management.
As hypertension cases continue to climb in Pune, experts are urging a shift toward plant-forward diets and other preventive lifestyle changes.
