Ketogenic Diet and Intermittent Fasting Show Promise for Menopausal Blood Pressure

This completed clinical trial examined whether ketogenic dieting and intermittent fasting could more effectively manage blood pressure in menopausal women compared to unrestricted eating patterns. The study addressed a critical gap in understanding how these popular dietary interventions affect cardiovascular health in a population particularly vulnerable to hypertension.

Researchers at the University of Roma La Sapienza enrolled 50 menopausal women with arterial hypertension and obesity. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: free diet (unrestricted eating), very low-calorie ketogenic diet, or intermittent fasting protocol. The year-long study ran from June 2022 to June 2023.

The primary outcome measured clinic blood pressure changes across all three groups. Secondary measurements included comprehensive body composition analysis: BMI, total body weight loss percentage, body fat percentage, waist and hip circumferences, waist-to-hip ratio, and phase angle—a bioelectrical impedance marker reflecting cellular health and metabolic function.

This research fills an important evidence gap, as while both ketogenic diets and intermittent fasting are widely recognized for weight loss benefits, their specific cardiovascular impacts in menopausal women remained poorly understood. Menopause significantly increases hypertension risk due to hormonal changes, making this population particularly relevant for targeted dietary interventions.

The completed status suggests results are available, potentially providing evidence-based guidance for clinicians and menopausal women considering dietary approaches for blood pressure management. Given the rising prevalence of obesity-related hypertension and the popularity of these dietary strategies, findings could inform personalized nutrition recommendations for cardiovascular health optimization during menopause.