Cardiovascular health

High protein diets lead to lower blood pressure

proteins

Adults who consume a high-protein diet may be at a lower risk for developing high blood pressure.

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, high blood pressure 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 study, published in the American 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. In general, these beneficial effects were evident for both overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) and normal weight (BMI

“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.

Source: Buendia JR et al. Am J Hypertens (2014) doi: 10.1093/ajh/hpu157 First published online: September 6, 2014

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