Fasting and Its Impact on Blood Pressure

Fasting has been a topic of interest in the health community for quite some time. One particular area of study has been its effect on blood pressure. A research study documented changes in daily blood pressure during fasting periods and produced some compelling results.

Study Overview

This research monitored blood pressure changes over fasting durations varying between 4 to 41 days in 1,610 participants. These subjects comprised:

• 920 normotensive individuals
• 313 hypertensive non-medicated individuals
• 377 hypertensive medicated individuals

During this fasting regimen, participants consumed approximately 250 kcal daily.

Key Findings

1. General Blood Pressure Reduction: Overall, mean blood pressure values decreased from 126.2/81.4 mm Hg to 119.7/77.6 mm Hg.
2. Significant Reduction for Hypertensive Non-medicated Subjects: Those with a starting blood pressure above 140/90 mm Hg experienced a notable reduction of 16.7/8.8 mm Hg. For those with even higher starting values (>160/100 mm Hg), the reduction was as significant as 24.7/13.1 mm Hg.
3. Moderate Decrease in Normotensives: Participants without hypertension witnessed a moderate decrease of 3.0/1.9 mm Hg.
4. Increase in Some Females: A small group of female participants with initial blood pressure values below 100/60 mm Hg documented an increase by 6.3/2.2 mm Hg.
5. Reduction Even with Medication: Among the hypertensive medicated group, blood pressure reduced from 134.6/86.0 mm Hg to 127.3/81.3 mm Hg. Notably, 23.6% stopped their medication entirely, while 43.5% decreased their dosage.

Furthermore, the study found that this blood pressure reduction effect persisted even during the four days of stepwise food reintroduction. This was particularly striking, given that some participants ceased their antihypertensive medication.

Watch and Learn

For a deeper dive into the science behind fasting and its effects on high blood pressure, check out these informative videos:

• The Impact of Fasting on High Blood Pressure (Science Analysis) | Dr. Mindy Pelz
• Intermittent Fasting reduces cardiac risk | Jason Fung
• The impact of fasting on high blood pressure (2020) | Buchinger Wilhelmi

Conclusion

Fasting, when done correctly, can be a promising approach for those looking to manage elevated blood pressure. However, it's essential to remember that fasting isn't for everyone. Always consult with your healthcare professional before beginning any fasting regimen.