Consuming dried fruits is considered healthy because it can decrease the likelihood of developing hypertension, or high blood pressure. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that regular consumption of dried fruits can lower the probability of developing high blood pressure by 20–30 percent.
In India, there is a rapid increase in cases of high blood pressure; 30% of people over 18 suffer from hypertension. According to the World Health Organization, about 200 million people in India live with high blood pressure, but only 10–12% of them control this condition. Experts attribute this disease to poor dietary habits and lifestyle deterioration and believe that dried fruits can help manage this condition.
Dried fruits and their components are considered beneficial for heart health. Multiple meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have shown a reduction in blood pressure upon their consumption, although the results were not always identical, they are nevertheless recognized as highly beneficial.
Dr. Ajit Jain from the cardiology department of Rajiv Gandhi Hospital in Delhi notes that dried fruits are included in dietary plans to improve heart health in cases of high blood pressure.
In this study, researchers attempted to establish a link between dried fruit consumption and the risk of high blood pressure. The study included 143,380 people aged 18 to 87, of whom 20,665 had high blood pressure. It was found that people who ate dried fruits daily had a significantly lower risk of high blood pressure.
The study showed that consuming 28 grams of dried fruits daily reduces the risk of high blood pressure by 20 percent, while consuming 30–35 grams of nuts daily leads to a 26% reduction in the risk of the disease. These results align with data from meta-analyses indicating the benefits of nuts for blood pressure.
However, this work has some limitations, such as the assessment of nut consumption being conducted only once at the beginning, and no separate studies being conducted on different types of dried fruits. This did not allow for determining which specific type of dried fruit is most beneficial, but it was proven that they can reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
The study also indicated that people with any allergy to dried fruits should not consume them. Patients with stomach problems are also advised to consult a doctor.
