Study Shows Blacks Reluctant to Give up Unhealthy Soul Food Recipes that cause High Blood Pressure
Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 11:51AM 
By Amber Wells/ EEW Magazine Health
What does it profit a man to gain his “soul food” and lose his life? This is the question to ponder in light of research that shows high blood pressure rates are highest among African-Americans, which is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 43% of black men and 45.7% of black women develop high blood pressure.
Perhaps it’s time to consider the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet which promotes consumption of more fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grain, and less meats and sweets.
Research shows that the DASH diet effectively treats hypertension.
But according to ABC News’ Dr. Khaalisha Ajala, a Duke University study reveals many African-Americans struggle to give up their favorite soul food recipes passed down through generations.
The study, which is published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, based its research findings on 144 overweight subjects and found something unique about African-Americans.
Though participants, regardless of race, preferred unhealthy foods, African-Americans seemed to have a special attachment to their favorite soul food dishes.
Dr. Ajala writes, “Once the study subjects began the DASH diet, African Americans in the program, although highly motivated, noted preference for traditional soul food as the reason why they did not follow all of the dietary restrictions.”
But is a good-tasting meal worth all sorts of health complications and a shortened life span?
Mary Mary’s Erica Campbell recently revealed she suffers from high blood pressure and carried on a Twitter conversation about health prompted by her viewing of CNBC’s Fat & Fatter documentary. The reality TV star and mom of three shared this quote: “You don’t care what people say, you enjoy your food, but you’re eating yourself to death.”
“My patients, who are largely an African-American population, battle high blood pressure at staggering numbers,” says Dr. Ajala. “Even my family members who battle high blood pressure could lower their blood pressure if they just changed their diet. Why is it so hard?”
Good question. Why is it so hard?
Reader Comments (8)
This is something the black community has to get in check! We're losing to many people. I think it's tradition. It can be very hard to break habits passed down through generations, no matter how bad.
I know how hard it can be to give up soul food, but with prayer, I have succeeded greatly. Last October,I decided to make a lifestyle change to help with my weight loss process, as well as my hypertension. I cheat every now and then, eating red beans and rice! Lol. Since my change, I have lost 50 lbs and am no longer on my blood pressure meds! (All praises to God.) It is hard to break old habits, but for the sake of health risks, it is worth it.
This right here is a real hurdle for me. Not even gonna lie! But I have been making some changes like drinking more water and less soda, baking more than frying and trying to cut back on salt. I have a long way to go tho!
Cuz it tastes gud...annd that pic making me stumble! Lol. I need to fast
Not gonna front or lie. Lord help me to step away from the mac-n-cheese, candied yams, and fried chicken. Amen.
I don't know why black people keep eating that slave food anyway.
hard to give up what has brought the family together for a long time, just like the movie soul food
Soul Food is part of who we are, who we were! I Google Caribbean Cuisine and as a large array of dishes unfolded before my eyes and I read the recipes, looked at the various dishes, it was like I just saw my great great great grandmother for the first time! I say, O God! That why we are so connected to the "Mother Land". It is as if God left a food trail so we could search our way to our ancestry. Pea dumpling and stuff like that when I was a child, my mama didn't know that about a recipe book.nothing but what was passed down from her mama and grandmama...it the connection! We must learn moderation of course! And we must also remember food is "fuel", if you're not working, moving, laboring to work it off, it just going to sit there....on us!