Eat Cereal for Breakfast and Lower High Blood Pressure Risk

I’m part of a study group led by Dr. Ed Truelove from the University of Washington. He reviews current published health related literature and shares with us the research that he feels would be of most interest to our group, our families and our patients. Many of the issues we discuss only require a simple adjustment to your routine to reap benefits to your health.

Eat Cereal for Breakfast and Lower High Blood Pressure Risk

We don’t have to get up early to make that perfect breakfast for our spouse. We may only have to make a simple change to that breakfast. According to a recently released study of over 13,000 individuals (Cl Nut 2012;31:89-92.) that were followed over 9 years those that ate breakfast cereal 7 days-a-week had a 20 percent reduction in the risk of hypertension (high blood pressure). Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke and kidney failure. Not only that, it is estimated that managing hypertension costs over 82 billion dollars a year!

So what breakfast cereals should we be eating? All cereals showed a relationship with blood pressure reduction but whole grain cereals were better at lowering blood pressure than those cereals with processed grains and lots of sugar.

For those of you that cannot find yourself eating cereal 7 days a week, there seems to be an additive effect the more days you eat it. So try 3-4 days.

This study followed males with a mean age in their 50’s. Other risk factors such as tobacco use and body mass index were accounted for and there still was a reduction in hypertension. Research was not extended to females or other age groups. The consensus is that a similar effect would be expected.

In future research backed blog topics I will discuss protective effects of coffee, chocolate, reducing stress and of course the effect of exercise. Check back for other health topics and pass this information on to your family and friends.