The impact of Dairy- free diet on the management of Hypertension- A systematic review.

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is a significant risk factor for chronic diseases, and its prevalence is increasing globally. The development of hypertension is influenced by genetic predisposition, environmental factors, age-related changes, and immunological influences. Dietary management plays a key role in managing hypertension, with the DASH diet being an effective intervention. Calcium intake through diet, particularly from dairy products, has been shown to help lower blood pressure. Previous studies have demonstrated a link between dairy consumption and decreased blood pressure. Aim: This paper aimed to systematically review the existing literature by comparing diets without dairy to those that include dairy, focusing on the effect of dairy exclusion on hypertension, which was the primary outcome, as well as on secondary outcomes, such as changes in lipid profile, weight, waist circumference, and glucose levels. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were used to search for relevant articles that study the impact of dairy food exclusion on the management of hypertension. Only records that met the following inclusion criteria were considered: published between 2000 and June 2024, full text, and in English, focusing on adults aged ≥18 years of either gender, with or without health conditions. The Cochrane Collaboration quality assessment tool was employed to assess the included studies. Results: The results of six randomised clinical trials involving 462 adult participants indicated that a dairy-free diet did not have any discernible effect on both systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements (in mmHg). Conclusion: This review indicates that eliminating dairy products from one's diet has no apparent impact on the incidence or management of hypertension despite the limitations of the included studies. Moreover, it emphasises the need for additional research to explore the effects of fat content and micronutrients on the management of hypertension.