Vegies lower hypertension shows research

CHICAGO - People who get their protein from vegetables rather than meat have lower blood pressure, and the more plant protein consumed the better, say researchers.

Most adults either have high blood pressure or are headed in that direction, according to the study by researchers at Imperial College London said this week.

The study was conducted on nearly 4700 people from Britain, the United States, Japan and China. Study author Paul Elliott said he found the more plant protein people consumed, the lower their blood pressure.

The report published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that the amino acids and magnesium in vegetable protein may act in lowering blood pressure.

After adjusting for height and weight, the study did not find that the more meat protein consumed in the diet, the higher the blood pressure, but meat eaters overall had higher blood pressure.

- REUTERS