According to new research published today in Hypertension, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association, a balanced diet that includes protein from more diverse sources may help adults reduce their risk of developing high blood pressure.. The information was shared by the portal MedicalXpress.

Nearly half of the world's population suffers from hypertension, or high blood pressure, one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease.. Left untreated, high blood pressure damages the circulatory system and is a significant contributing factor to heart attack, stroke and other diseases..

“Nutrition can be an easily accessible and effective intervention in the fight against hypertension. Along with fats and carbohydrates, protein is one of the top three macronutrients, says study author Xianhui Qin, MD, from the National Kidney Clinical Research Center at Nanfang Hospital of the Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China..

There is a strong link between poor dietary quality and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death from cardiovascular disease.. In its 2021 Diet Guide for Improving Cardiovascular Health, the American Heart Association recommends that people consume healthy sources of protein, primarily from plants, and may include seafood and low-fat or low-fat dairy products, as well as lean cuts and unprocessed meats, if desired..

The authors of the study analyzed the health information of almost 12,200 adults living in China who participated in at least 2 of the 7 rounds of the China Health and Nutrition Survey from 1997 to 2015 (surveys were conducted every 2-4 years). The initial survey of participants was used as a baseline, and data from the last round was used as a follow-up for comparison.. The average age of the participants was 41 years, and 47% were men. The survey measured food consumption in three consecutive 24-hour recalls of food and household food inventory.. A trained interviewer collected 24-hour nutrition information for 3 days of the same week during each round of the survey..

Participants received a protein “diversity score” based on the amount of different protein sources eaten from 8 registered: whole grains, refined grains, processed red meat, unprocessed red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and legumes. One point was given for each protein source, and the maximum diversity score was 8. The researchers then assessed the association between new onset hypertension and protein diversity scores..

New onset hypertension was defined as systolic (upper number) blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mmHg. st. , and/or diastolic (lower number) blood pressure greater than or equal to 90 mmHg. st. taking blood pressure medication, or self-reporting that a doctor has diagnosed high blood pressure since their last check-up visit. Mean follow-up time was 6 years.

More than 35% of nearly 12,200 participants developed new high blood pressure during follow-up.

Compared to participants with the lowest varietal score on protein intake (less than 2), participants with the highest varietal score (4 or higher) had a 66% lower risk of developing high blood pressure.

“The idea behind heart health is that eating a balanced diet with proteins from a variety of sources, rather than focusing on a single dietary protein source, can help prevent the development of high blood pressure,” Qin said..

medical-heal. en.