Ingestion of a vegetarian diet may reduce systolic blood pressure by 5 mmHg, which may reduce the risk of heart disease by 21%.

One major feature of a vegetarian diet that may affect blood pressure (BP) is the amount of dietary fiber, with an increased amount being associated with decreased systemic pressures. Multiple meta-analyses have shown benefits with dietary fiber intake on BP.

Vegetarians, in general, have lower BP levels and a lower incidence of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Experts postulate that a typical vegetarian diet contains more potassium, complex carbohydrates, polyunsaturated fat, fiber, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C and vitamin A, all of which may have a favorable influence on BP. More significant reductions were observed in older (greater than 40 years) and hypertensive individuals.

Soya is good for high BP because it is naturally high in potassium and low in sodium. Potassium and sodium are electrolytes, and a high-potassium, low-sodium diet promotes a healthy BP.