Flaxseed Aids Blood Pressure

Flaxseed is rich in alpha-linoleic acid, lignans, and fiber – all of which have been associated with a beneficial effect on blood pressure. Grant Pierce, from St. Boniface Hospital (Canada), and colleagues found that bagels, muffins, and buns enriched with flaxseed at a daily dose of 30 grams, significantly reduced systolic blood pressure by 10 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 7 mmHg, among 110 subjects with peripheral artery disease. Among patients with both peripheral artery disease and hypertension, systolic blood pressure was reduced by 15 mmHg. submitting that: “this is the largest decrease in blood pressure ever shown by any dietary intervention – including the Mediterranean Diet and low-sodium diets,” the study authors report that: “we expect that this kind of improvement in people with hypertension could reduce the incidence of heart attack and stroke by 50%.”