Hypertension may occur with greater incidence in non-vegetarians than in vegetarians.
This study evaluated the relationship between following a vegetarian dietary pattern and the likelihood of developing hypertension. Researchers followed and evaluated 4,109 Taiwanese adult subjects with regard to their dietary patterns and hypertension odds ratios.
Researchers observed that the likelihood of developing hypertension was 34% lower among vegetarians than among non-vegetarians regardless of the level of inflammation, insulin resistance, and abdominal obesity. Data from this study suggest that vegetarian diets may reduce an individual's vulnerability to hypertension.