What Is the Anti-Hypertension Protein in Veggies?

An international study, published online in the journal Circulation, has fingered glutamic acid as a dietary component that lowers blood pressure. The evidence came from an epidemiological study of 4,680 persons aged 40 to 59 from 17 countries – China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the USA.

The consumption of vegetables and vegetable protein were targeted in this study. In particular, the intakes of glutamic acid – the predominant dietary amino acid, especially in vegetable protein - as well as 4 other amino acids – praline, phenylalanine, serine, and cystine – were estimated, based on dietary recall questionnaires and urinary tests.

A 4.72% higher intake of glutamic acid was linked to a 1.5- to 3-point reduction in average systolic blood pressure, and a 1- to 1.6-point reduction in diastolic pressure.  This may not sound like a major effect on blood pressure, but in fact a reduction of this scale could cut stroke risks by 6% and coronary heart disease deaths by 4%, according tone of the researchers.

These results should not be taken as a reason to take glutamic acid pills or any other supplements. Better by far to eat plenty of veggies. Those with the highest sources of vegetable protein include beans, whole grains, soy products, and durum wheat, which is used to make pasta.