Adding
fiber boosts the results even more
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.
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.
Story
Source:
The above story is based on materials provided by Boston University Medical Center. Note: Materials may be edited for
content and length.
Journal
Reference:
J. R. Buendia, M. L. Bradlee, M. R. Singer, L. L. Moore. Diets Higher in Protein
Predict Lower High Blood Pressure Risk in Framingham Offspring Study Adults. American Journal of Hypertension,
2014; DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpu157
Cite
This Page:
Boston University Medical Center. "High protein diets lead
to lower blood pressure, study finds." Science Daily,
11 September 2014.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140911125920.htm>.