Dietary fiber and blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials

Martinette T Streppel, Lidia R Arends, Pieter van 't Veer, Diederick E Grobbee, Johanna M Geleijnse

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

284 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dietary fiber is part of a healthy diet and may exert a protective effect in the cardiovascular system. The effect of fiber intake on blood pressure (BP) has not yet been established.

METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials to estimate the effect of fiber supplementation on BP overall and in population subgroups. Original articles published between January 1, 1966, and January 1, 2003, were retrieved for 24 trials that fulfilled criteria for meta-analysis. Data were abstracted on fiber dose, fiber type, BP changes, study design features, and study population characteristics. A random-effects model was used for meta-analysis.

RESULTS: Fiber supplementation (average dose, 11.5 g/d) changed systolic BP by -1.13 mm Hg (95% confidence interval: -2.49 to 0.23) and diastolic BP by -1.26 mm Hg (-2.04 to -0.48). Reductions in BP tended to be larger in older (>40 years) and in hypertensive populations than in younger and in normotensive ones.

CONCLUSION: Increasing the intake of fiber in Western populations, where intake is far below recommended levels, may contribute to the prevention of hypertension.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)150-6
Number of pages7
JournalArchives of internal medicine
Volume165
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 Jan 2005

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