Cureus. 2026 Jul 16;18(7):e112807. doi: 10.7759/cureus.112807. eCollection 2026 Jul.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major global public health concern and a leading contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Non-pharmacological and lifestyle-based strategies are increasingly recognized as important adjuncts to pharmacological management. However, evidence on the effects of grain-free dietary interventions within naturopathic programs on blood pressure remains limited.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of an integrated naturopathy and yoga intervention, including a structured grain-free diet, on blood pressure and related hemodynamic parameters in individuals with hypertension.
METHODS: A single-arm pilot study was conducted among 20 hypertensive inpatients (aged 30-60 years) at a dedicated naturopathy and yoga hospital. Participants received a seven-day structured grain-free dietary intervention (five supervised meals/day) within an integrated naturopathy and yoga intervention. Primary outcomes were systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP); secondary outcomes were pulse rate (PR), pulse pressure (PP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Measurements were obtained at baseline (day 1) and post-intervention (day 7). Paired t-tests, 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and Cohen’s d effect sizes were computed.
RESULTS: Significant reductions were observed in all measured parameters following the intervention. SBP decreased by 16.60 mmHg (95% CI: 11.96-21.24; p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 1.68) and DBP by 12.60 mmHg (95% CI: 8.20-17.00; p < 0.001; d = 1.34). Pulse rate decreased by 6.35 bpm (95% CI: 3.41-9.29; p < 0.001; d = 1.01), pulse pressure by 4.00 mmHg (95% CI: 0.36-7.64; p = 0.032; d = 0.51), and MAP by 14.00 mmHg (95% CI: 9.49-18.51; p < 0.001; d = 1.45). No adverse events were reported.
CONCLUSIONS: A seven-day integrated naturopathy and yoga intervention incorporating a grain-free diet demonstrated meaningful and statistically significant short-term improvements in blood pressure and hemodynamic parameters in hypertensive individuals. Attribution to the dietary component alone is limited by the integrated naturopathy and yoga intervention design. Larger randomized controlled trials with dietary-only arms are recommended.
PMID:42604410 | PMC:PMC13477420 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.112807
