University of East Anglia
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A higher intake of
protein from animal sources
was linked with lower levels of arterial
stiffness.
Credit: © Africa Studio / Fotolia
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Eating foods rich in amino acids could be as good for your heart
as stopping smoking or getting more exercise -- according to new research from
the University of East Anglia (UEA).
A new study published today reveals that people who eat high
levels of certain amino acids found in meat and plant-based protein have lower
blood pressure and arterial stiffness.
And the magnitude of the association is similar to those
previously reported for lifestyle risk factors including salt intake, physical
activity, alcohol consumption and smoking.
Researchers investigated the effect of seven amino acids on
cardiovascular health among almost 2,000 women with a healthy BMI. Data came
from TwinsUK -- the biggest UK adult twin registry of 12,000 twins which is
used to study the genetic and environmental causes of age related disease.
They studied their diet and compared it to clinical measures of
blood pressure and blood vessel thickness and stiffness.
They found strong evidence that those who consumed the highest
amounts of amino acids had lower measures of blood pressure and arterial
stiffness.
Lead researcher Dr Amy Jennings, from UEA's Norwich Medical
School, said: "This research shows a protective effect of several amino
acids on cardiovascular health.
"Increasing intake from protein-rich foods such as meat,
fish, dairy produce, beans, lentils, broccoli and spinach could be an important
and readily achievable way to reduce people's risk of cardiovascular disease.
"Results from previous studies have provided evidence that
increased dietary protein may be associated with lower blood pressure. We
wanted to know whether protein from animal sources or plant-based sources was
more beneficial -- so we drilled down and looked at the different amino acids
found in both meat and vegetables.
"We studied seven amino acids -- arginine, cysteine,
glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, leucine, and tyrosine. Glutamic acid,
leucine, and tyrosine are found in animal sources, and a higher intake was
associated with lower levels of arterial stiffness.
"All seven amino acids, and particularly those from
plant-based sources, were associated with lower blood pressure.
"The really surprising thing that we found is that amino
acid intake has as much of an effect on blood pressure as established lifestyle
risk factors such as salt intake, physical activity and alcohol consumption.
For arterial stiffness, the association was similar to the magnitude of change
previously associated with not smoking.
"High blood pressure is one of the most potent risk factors
for developing cardiovascular disease. A reduction in blood pressure leads to a
reduction in mortality caused by stroke or coronary heart disease -- so
changing your diet to include more meat, fish, dairy produce and pulses could
help both prevent and treat the condition.
"Beneficial daily amounts equate to a 75g portion of steak,
a 100g salmon fillet or a 500ml glass of skimmed milk," she added.
Prof Tim Spector from the department of Twin Research at King's
college London said: "The finding that eating certain meat and plant
proteins are linked to healthier blood pressure is an exciting finding. We need
to understand the mechanism to see if it is direct or via our gut
microbes."