Measuring Individual Responses to a Wholegrains and Nuts Intervention to Reduce Blood Pressure in Prehypertension (MI-DIET)
Prehypertension
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Prehypertension focused on measuring N-of-1, Ecological Momentary Assessment, Blood pressure, Whole grains, Nuts
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Mildly elevated blood pressure levels: systolic blood pressure (SBP) >120 <=140mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >80 <=90mmHg.
- Low habitual intake of wholegrains: <=7 portions/week
- Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18-35
- Possessing a smartphone capable of running the Qardio app in conjunction with the QardioArm wireless blood pressure monitor
Exclusion Criteria:
- SBP <120 or >140mmHg or DBP <80 or >90mmHg. Participants with SBP > 140 or DBP > 90 will be advised to visit their GP to have their blood pressure reassessed in a clinical setting.
- Diagnosed with diabetes
- Clinically diagnosed with hypertension or hypercholesterolemia
- Unstable or untreated thyroid disorder
- Taking blood pressure- or cholesterol-lowering medications (e.g. beta blockers or statins)
- Following a low carbohydrate/gluten free diet
- Coeliac disease/gluten insensitivity
- Any food allergies
- Being on a weight loss diet or having lost >5kg in the last 6 months
- Any history of an eating disorder
- >7 portions/week habitual wholegrains consumption
- Having taken part in a study where wholegrains were provided in the last 3 months
- Not possessing a smartphone to run the Qardio app.
Sites / Locations
- The Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Other
N-of-1 study
For 24 weeks, each participant will measure their blood pressure and respond to questionnaires daily, and visit the institute to provide a blood sample every 4 weeks. The study is split into three 8-week phases, the first of which will start when each participant is enrolled. For the first 8-week observation phase (A1) the participant is instructed to continue with their usual diet and exercise habits. For the second 8-week intervention phase (B), the participant will be provided with wholegrains and nuts and recommended to substitute these in place of refined grains and other snacks, respectively. They will also receive dietary advice for following the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. For the final 8 week follow-up period (A2), provision of wholegrains and nuts will cease but the participant will continue with measurements at the same frequency as previously.