Go ahead, have the steak. New research shows eating high-protein foods can boost your cardiovascular health.
The study, published by University of East Anglia scientists in the Journal of Nutrition, found foods rich in amino acids can be as good for your heart as stopping smoking, going on a low-salt diet, or getting more exercise.
In studying the effects of seven amino acids — in meat and plant-based protein — on the heart health of 2,000 women, the researchers found those who ate high levels had significantly lower blood pressure and arterial stiffness, linked to heart disease.
This research shows a protective effect of several amino acids on cardiovascular health,” said lead researcher Amy Jennings, M.D., from UEA's Norwich Medical School. "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.”
The study focused on seven amino acids — arginine, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, leucine, and tyrosine.
"All seven amino acids, and particularly those from plant-based sources, were associated with lower blood pressure,” said Dr. Jennings. "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 a major risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease, the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S.
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