We had a fantastic time at the 14th Annual Congress of EFAD (The European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians). We proudly presented our e-poster at the conference and gained a lot of information in the field of nutrition science.
Here’s what our e-poster was about:
- Led by dietitians, interpersonal counseling based on empirical knowledge of behavioral change processes and tailored to individual needs is particularly effective in the treatment of hypertension. However, there are limitations to this approach, raising doubts about the accessibility of nutritional counseling to everyone. Our aim was to demonstrate that a well-chosen telemedicine method can effectively support dietetic education.
- Participants with hypertension received nutritional advice based on the principles of the DASH diet and underwent regular blood pressure measurements for three months. Their measured values and dietary records were recorded in an application synchronized with a cloud-based system integrated with a dietetic software. Using the software, we analyzed the parameters logged by the patients (calories, fiber, sodium, potassium) in detail in relation to their blood pressure values.
- Our results will show that the introduction of a properly chosen telemedicine method can assist patients in lifestyle changes and provide timely and effective care. Significant improvements were observed in energy and certain nutrient intake, demonstrating the effectiveness of education. Due to increased knowledge, patients consciously chose healthier diets, resulting in an average decrease of 13.35 mmHg in systolic values and 11.7 mmHg in diastolic values during the study period.
- A dietary approach targeting blood pressure modification should be a crucial strategy for preventing cardiovascular diseases. Extensive literature supports the influence of several dietary components and diets on blood pressure. Besides the DASH and Mediterranean diets, evidence shows clear benefits from higher potassium intake, limiting sodium intake, and increasing fiber consumption for lowering blood pressure or preventing hypertension through dietary interventions.
Our Representatives:
Simonová Erika – Our Health Expert
Kasza Adrienn – Our Assistant, Dietitian Student