A recent study published in the journal Nutrients shows that key nutrients in certain foods, including eggs, are linked to lower blood pressure.
Hypertension (high blood pressure) increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. By 2025, an estimated 1.5 billion people will have hypertension, so researchers are trying to figure out how to lower it.
Several previous studies have demonstrated that certain foods can have an effect on blood pressure, and the TwinsUK team wanted to investigate this further and determine which nutrients in foods are specifically associated with blood pressure.
The researchers analyzed blood pressure and food frequency data from over 3,800 study participants who do not take blood pressure medication. Additionally, the researchers examined an additional group of identical twin pairs with significant blood pressure differences.
The researchers discovered that 15 nutrients were associated with blood pressure, even after accounting for other variables such as age, gender, and body mass index (BMI).
Three key nutrients, on the other hand, were associated with the greatest effect on blood pressure:
1. Alcohol: This had the worst effect on blood pressure, and the more you drink, the higher your blood pressure.
2. Riboflavin: Also known as vitamin B2, this nutrient is found in milk and egg products and can reduce blood pressure.
3. Tryptophan: This nutrient is found in meat products and soybeans and can reduce blood pressure.
Panayiotis Louca, the first author, explained the research’s next steps:
“Our results are further evidence that diet is closely linked with blood pressure. We now need clinical trials to test how different people respond to a modified diet and how it impacts blood pressure. ”
Senior author Cristina Menni said:
“Before we can encourage people to eat more of a certain food to reduce blood pressure, we need to understand how exactly different nutrients affect our blood vessels and blood pressure. Our work supports the need for further research to understand how we could use diet as a tool for preventing and treating hypertension. ”