Fatty acids help regulate BP levels

Food-based fatty oil diets, specifically those enriched with sesame oil, and diets high in unsaturated fats significantly reduce both systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), reports a study. High intakes of monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), as well as omega-3 fatty acid diets, also result in BP reduction but to a lesser extent.

Moreover, “[l]ow-fat diets and fat-rich adaptations of the DASH diet showed moderate effects in lowering both SBP and DBP,” the investigators said. “Conversely, diets focused on saturated fat restriction showed minimal impact on BP reduction when compared to control groups.”

In this study, randomized clinical trials and observational studies focusing on the effects of dietary fats on BP were identified through a comprehensive search of Medline and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to February 2025. Twenty-five studies, including a total of 14,522 participants, met the eligibility criteria.

The investigators examined the data to estimate mean differences (MDs) with 95 percent confidence intervals (CIs). They also generated funnel plots to assess publication bias, used the RevMen Web tool to assess risk of bias, and carried out sensitivity analyses. [Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2025;34:542-550]

Both SBP (MD, ‒21.40 mm Hg, 95 percent CI, ‒25.27 to ‒17.75) and DBP (MD, ‒14.00 mm Hg, 95 percent CI, ‒15.53 to ‒12.47) significantly decreased with food-based oil diet, particularly the sesame oil blend. Significant SBP reductions (MD, ‒15.80 mm Hg, 95 percent CI, ‒18.59 to ‒13.01) were also noted with diets rich in unsaturated fats. [J Clin Lipidol 2016;10:339-349; J Am Diet Assoc 2008;108:257-265]

High intakes of MUFA and long-chain omega-3 PUFA also significantly reduced SBP (MUFA: MD, ‒7.00 mm Hg, 95 percent CI, ‒8.41 to ‒5.59; PUFA: MD, ‒7.60 mm Hg, 95 percent CI, ‒13.63 to ‒1.57) and DBP (MUFA: MD, ‒6.00 mm Hg, 95 percent CI, ‒7.52 to ‒4.48; PUFA: MD, ‒2.70 mm Hg, 95 percent CI, ‒6.43 to 1.03). [Int J Food Sci Nutr 2016;67:1017-1023; J Clin Hypertens 2012;14:767-772]

DASH diet

Furthermore, low-fat diets led to moderate reductions in SBP (MD, ‒6.91 mm Hg, 95 percent CI, ‒8.44 to ‒5.39) and DBP (MD, ‒3.78 mm Hg, 95 percent CI, ‒4.64 to ‒2.91), while the DASH diet rich in fat contents resulted in moderate SBP (‒3.83 mm Hg, 95 percent CI, ‒4.19 to ‒3.47) and DBP (MD, ‒2.18, 95 percent CI, ‒2.41 to ‒1.96) reductions. [JAMA 2005;294:2455-2464; J Hum Nutr Diet 2010;23:3-10]

On the other hand, diets rich in omega-3 content and overall high-fat intake provided smaller reductions in both SBP and DBP, whereas restrictions of saturated fat intake contributed minimal effects on BP parameters relative to controls. [J Intern Med 1990;227:413-421; Hypertension 1999;3:580-585; Sci Rep 2020;10:15444; Lipids Health Dis 2020;19:65]

“Our analysis demonstrated that restricting saturated fatty acids intake led to modest reductions in SBP and more substantial decreases in DBP. Notably, saturated fatty acids with low PUFA content showed more significant reductions in both SBP and DBP,” the investigators said.

“These results highlight the nuanced effects of different types of saturated fatty acids on BP regulation,” they added.