Can occasional fasting help reduce high blood pressure? Let’s find out

We already know that weight loss is one of the goals most of us pursue, and although there are many strategies online, not everything is effective. There are also some solutions that can help solve health problems. What guesses? Yes, we are talking about occasional fasting. In short, it means eating at certain times of the day. But is it safe to practice occasional fasting when you have high blood pressure?

The answer is yes. In her recent post on Instagram, the famous nutritionist dr. Anjali Mukerjee spoke about how you can safely fast with interruptions, even if you suffer from high blood pressure. In fact, there are several studies showing that this type of fasting can help improve your heart and overall health by lowering your blood pressure, insulin and blood sugar levels.

Dr. Mukerjee also revealed that people with high blood pressure have metabolic syndrome, especially in those who are overweight.

A 2020 study published in the journal Cell Metabolism found that occasional fasting helped women with metabolic syndrome. When women ate in the 10-hour window during the day, they had lower blood pressure, less cholesterol, and fewer blood sugar spikes. In fact, occasional fasting can also reduce chronic inflammation.

Check out her Instagram post here!

Is there a link between occasional fasting and low blood pressure?

According to a study involving 1,422 people who fasted for 4-21 days, blood pressure dropped. This is because fasting is supposed to increase parasympathetic activity, which is also called the “state of rest and digestion”. This is what helps with lower blood pressure.

There is another study that looked at 32 adults who followed alternating fasting. This habit helped lower their blood pressure compared to those who did not fast. They ate 400-600 calories on Lent and all they wanted on other days.

That’s not all – in 2018, Nutrition and Aging published a study of 23 adults using a 16: 8 fasting regimen that also showed lower blood pressure.

Also read: Want to know all about occasional fasting? An expert will fill you out

What else do you need to consider before embarking on occasional fasting?

Fasting is not for everyone. Do not do this if:

* You have had an eating disorder in the past
* You are pregnant or breastfeeding
* You are over 65 years old
* You are under 18 years old
* You have a history of low blood pressure.
* You are taking medication