Filippou C, Thomopoulos C, et al. 2021

33581952

Mediterranean diet and blood pressure reduction in adults with and without hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Filippou C, Thomopoulos C, Kouremeti M, Sotiropoulou L, Nihoyannopoulos P, Tousoulis D, Tsioufis C

Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)

2021

40

5

3191-3200

Meta-analysis or Systematic Review

Moderate

RCTs examining the effect of the MedDiet compared to the usual diet or another dietary intervention (e.g. low-fat diet, low- or high carbohydrate diet) on BP levels in hypertensive or nonhypertensive adults, irrespectively of accompanied co-morbidities (e.g. obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, metabolic syndrome or established cardiovascular disease) were eligible for inclusion, whether they considered BP changes as a primary or as a secondary outcome.

Non-randomized trials, studies with no control group, studies not reporting outcomes about BP, studies with a follow-up period <6 weeks, studies using a single Mediterranean meal or ingredients of the MedDiet as dietary supplements, studies with internet-based interventions and studies conducted either in children/adolescents or in pregnant women were excluded. We also excluded head-to head RCTs between the MedDiet and other active comparators “Mediterranean-like” diets.

The purpose of this study was to comprehensively assess the MedDiet BP-effect compared to the usual diet or another dietary intervention (e.g. low-fat diet) in adults with and without hypertension, accounting for methodological and clinical confounders.

Not applicable

Athens, Greece

Other

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.