Optimizing Food-Is-Medicine Programs for High Blood Pressure—Reply
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By
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Seth A. Berkowitz
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Alice S. Ammerman
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Darren A. DeWalt
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June 1, 2026
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Objective:
To discuss the insights and recommendations regarding food-is-medicine interventions for hypertension as highlighted by Gao et al.
Key Findings:
- Food selection in interventions should be based on mechanistic knowledge.
- Short-term blood pressure control may be more influenced by sodium and potassium than by healthful fats.
- Promoting overall healthful dietary patterns can help prevent long-term cardiometabolic outcomes.
Interpretation:
Limitations:
- The trade-off between short-term and long-term health outcomes may complicate intervention design.
- Time and resource constraints may limit the ability to study long-term impacts on cardiovascular risk.
Conclusion:
