- Almost half of adults in the United States have high blood pressure or hypertension.
- Current evidence suggests that dietary changes may lower blood pressure, but further investigation is needed.
- According to a recent study in China, eating a balanced diet containing proteins from a variety of sources may reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure in adults.
High blood pressure can lead to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diseases that affect the kidneys and brain.
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Scientists believe that high blood pressure is caused by a combination of environmental and lifestyle factors. The current advice is that eating healthier can reduce high blood pressure.
Recently, there has been increasing interest in the role of proteins as a possible approach to prevent hypertension.
This study, led by Dr. Xianhui Qin of the Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China, investigated the association between dietary protein type and amount and newly developed hypertension.
The authors of the study found that eating protein from a variety of sources may help reduce the risk of high blood pressure.Their findings will be displayed in the journal High blood pressure..
Tracy Parker, Senior Dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, Today’s medical news“This study adds evidence that eating the right amount of protein from a variety of foods is an important part of a healthy diet.”
“This study was observational, but it suggests that incorporating both plant-based and animal-based proteins into the diet can control blood pressure and benefit the heart. To do so, further research is needed, including different populations with different dietary intakes. “
The team obtained data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a joint project between the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC).
The survey collected data between 1989 and 2015 and targeted more than 47% of China’s population. Data collection was wavy every two to four years. In the 2009 wave, researchers collected blood samples.
In this study, we used the data collected from 1997 to 2015. However, participants who have already been diagnosed with hypertension, who have not completed the two surveys, or who have inadequate dietary data are excluded.
Trained nutritionists gathered information about food intake during face-to-face interviews. This included a 24-hour meal recall over three days of the same week, as well as household food inventory. From this information, scientists then calculated nutrient intake.
The team examined the variety and amount of protein intake from eight major food sources. Whole grains and refined grains, processed and raw lean meats, chicken, fish, eggs and legumes. We then generated a protein score based on the number of protein sources consumed by one person and gave each source 1 point.
During an average of 6.1 years of follow-up, researchers gathered information about the diagnosis of new hypertension. The final analysis included a total of 12,177 participants.
The average age of the participants was 41 years, and about 53% were women. During the study, over 35% of participants developed hypertension.
Researchers found that participants with the highest protein type in the diet had less than half the incidence of new onset hypertension than participants with a protein type score of less than 2.
The total amount of protein showed a U-shaped curve associated with the development of hypertension. This means that people with the least variety and the highest protein intake are at the highest risk of developing new hypertension.
For each type of protein, researchers have identified specific levels of low risk of high blood pressure.
Dr. Hata said MNT He was not surprised at the result. “We speculated that consuming more types of protein in the right amount would guarantee the intake of various essential amino acids, which correlates with increased nutritional status, microbial flora abundance, and diversity. You may be doing it. “
“The message about heart health is not to focus on a single dietary protein source, but to eat a balanced diet containing proteins from a variety of different sources to prevent the development of hypertension. It can be useful, “says Dr. Qin.
Dr. Hata said MNT Its future work should include participants from other ethnic groups and regions. “Randomized trials are needed to further investigate the association between the variety and amount of protein intake from different food sources and the risk of hypertension and other health consequences.”
“In addition, we need to further define the appropriate intake of each protein in different populations.”
Parker added: “To keep your mind healthy, you need to focus on eating more fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes and whole grains and reducing foods high in salt, sugar and saturated fat, such as cakes, biscuits and sweets. There are lifestyle factors such as regular exercise, quitting, and maintaining a healthy weight, which are also important ways to reduce your risk of heart and cardiovascular disease. “
