Consuming Protein From Multiple Sources May Help Support Healthy Blood Pressure Levels

Sources of dietary protein include meat, dairy products, nuts, and certain grains and beans. A new study suggests that consuming protein from a variety of sources may help support healthy blood pressure levels.

Participants in the study included 12,177 adults who took part in the China Health and Nutrition Survey. 24-hour dietary recalls and a household food inventory were used to determine dietary sources of protein. The sources of protein evaluated were whole grains, refined grains, processed red meat, unprocessed red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and legumes. Participants were followed for an average of 6 years and all cases of new-onset hypertension were recorded.

Participants who consumed protein from 4 or more different sources were found to have a 66% lower risk of developing high blood pressure compared to those who consumed protein from less than 2 sources.

The study was conducted by researchers from Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University. It was published online ahead of print on March 10, 2022 in the journal Hypertension.

In a previous study, consumption of flavonoid-rich foods was found to support healthy blood pressure levels.