Fruits and Vegetables Improve Blood Pressure in Kidney Disease Patients

Kidney disease patients who increase their intake of fruits and vegetables can improve their blood pressure, according to a study presented last week at the American Heart Association's High Blood Pressure meeting in Orlando, Fla. Researchers followed the diets of 108 kidney disease patients and monitored their blood pressure and medications. The study divided the patients into three groups: one treated with sodium bicarbonate, another with three to four daily servings of fruit and vegetables, and a control group. Those who consumed more fruits and vegetables lowered their blood pressure, compared with the other two groups, and lowered medications every year for the five-year study. The reduction in medications saved the dietary intervention group and estimated $80,000 in medication costs.