HIGH PROTEIN DIETS LEAD TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE
Adults who consume a high-protein diet may be at a lower risk for
developing high blood pressure (HBP). The study, published in theAmerican
Journal of Hypertension, by researchers
from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), found participants consuming
the highest amount of protein (an average of 100 g protein/day) had a 40
percent lower risk of having high blood pressure compared to the lowest intake
level.
One of three U.S.
adults has hypertension and 78.6 million are clinically obese, a risk factor
for the development of hypertension. Because of the strain that it puts on
blood vessel walls, HBP is one of the most common risk factors of stroke and an
accelerator of multiple forms of heart disease, especially when paired with
excess body weight.
The researchers
analyzed protein intakes of healthy participants from the Framingham Offspring
Study and followed them for development of high blood pressure over an 11-year
period. They found that adults who consumed more protein, whether from animal
or plant sources, had statistically significantly lower systolic blood pressure
and diastolic blood pressure levels after four years of follow-up. In general,
these beneficial effects were evident for both overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) and
normal weight (BMI <25 kg/m2) individuals. They also found that consuming
more dietary protein also was associated with lower long-term risks for HBP.
When the diet also was characterized by higher intakes of fiber, higher protein
intakes led to 40-60 percent reductions in risk of HBP.
"These results
provide no evidence to suggest that individuals concerned about the development
of HBP should avoid dietary protein. Rather, protein intake may play a role in
the long-term prevention of HBP," explained corresponding author Lynn
Moore, associate professor of medicine at BUSM. "This growing body of
research on the vascular benefits of protein, including this study, suggest we
need to revisit optimal protein intake for optimal heart health," she added.
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