Data from the public health department reveals that a significant number of men in Pune district are affected by hypertension. Out of 31.79 lakh men screened under the ‘Nirogi Aarogya Tarunaiche Vaibhav Maharashtrache’ programme, over 5.53 lakh (17%) were found to have hypertension.
Hypertension, often referred to as the ‘silent killer,’ is a significant cause of premature death globally. According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 in 4 men and 1 in 5 women globally are affected by this condition. In India, the situation is particularly alarming. A study published in the JAMA Network Open estimates that over 90% of adults with hypertension in India remain either undiagnosed, untreated, or treated but with uncontrolled hypertension. The ICMR report released earlier this year highlights that healthy diets and physical activity can reduce a substantial proportion of coronary heart disease and hypertension and prevent up to 80% of type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Vanita Rahman, an Internal Medicine Physician and Certified Nutritionist with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), emphasizes the importance of dietary and lifestyle changes in managing hypertension. “Eating minimally-processed plant-based foods can significantly lower blood pressure and, in some cases, reduce or eliminate the need for medication. Minimally-processed plant-based foods are low in sodium and rich in potassium and fiber, which helps to lower blood pressure. These foods also improve other conditions commonly associated with high blood pressure, such as diabetes and high cholesterol levels.”
A study in Progress in Cardiovascular Disease found that a plant-based diet can reduce the risk of hypertension by 34%. Another study shows that a healthy plant-based diet index (hPDI) is associated with lower blood pressure, while an unhealthy plant-based diet index (uPDI) is linked to higher blood pressure.
An adequate intake of foods such as citrus fruits, garlic, pumpkin seeds, spinach, beans, lentils, amaranth, pistachios, berries, beets, and carrots, combined with reduced consumption of refined grains, added sugars, and meat, contributes to lower blood pressure.
With the increasing cases of hypertension affecting Pune, it is crucial to focus on preventive measures. A shift towards plant- forward diets, combined with other lifestyle changes, could play a vital role in combating this silent epidemic and improving public health outcomes in the city.
