HealthLink: A modest increase in protein intake may lower blood pressure
Results from a recent controlled trial suggest that a modest increase in the consumption of protein from lean red meat (substituted for carbohydrate-rich foods) may lower blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. The study published in the April 2006 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined the effect of partial substitution of carbohydrate with protein from lean red meat on markers of cardiovascular disease risk in people with hypertension.
This study included 60 hypertensive adults randomly assigned to either maintain their usual diet (control group) or partially replace energy intake from carbohydrate-rich foods with protein from lean red meat (protein group). Measurements were performed at the beginning and at the end of the 8 week intervention. Protein intakes of both groups were well within the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range of 10 to 35% of total energy from protein. The control group maintained protein intake at 18.6% of energy. The protein group increased protein intake from 18.3% to 23.8% of energy with a corresponding decrease in energy from carbohydrate. On average, the protein group consumed 36 grams more protein per day than the control group. Iron and zinc intakes were significantly higher in the protein group than in the control group. Body weight and intakes of fat, alcohol, and fiber did not differ significantly between the two groups.
Compared with the control group, the protein group had clinic and 24 hour systolic blood pressures that were lower by - 5.2 and - 4.0 mm Hg, respectively. These differences were independent of age, sex, changes in weight, alcohol intake, or urinary sodium and potassium excretion. Diastolic blood pressure and heart rate, arterial compliance, blood lipids, and serum insulin did not differ significantly between the two groups.
CONSUMER TIPS:
Substituting a small amount of lean meat protein for carbohydrate-rich foods, may lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
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For five steps to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range, visit the
Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Am J Clin Nutr, 2006; 83(4):780-787
Hypertension Society of Canada.
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