Consumption of phytochemical-rich foods may prevent the development of hypertension. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Dietary phytochemical index is inversely associated with the occurrence of hypertension in adults: a 3-year follow-up (the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study).
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2015 Mar ;69(3):392-8. Epub 2014 Nov 12. PMID: 25387902
M Golzarand
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The epidemiological association of phytochemical-rich foods with the risk of hypertension is unclear. This study aimed to determine the association of dietary phytochemical index (PI) with the occurrence of hypertension (HTN) after 3 years of follow-up in Tehranian adults.
SUBJECTS/METHODS: This prospective study was conducted on 1546 nonhypertensive subjects, aged 20-70 years. Dietary intake was collected by validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Dietary PI was calculated as (dietary energy derived from phytochemical-rich foods (kcal)/total daily energy intake (kcal))× 100. Blood pressure was measured at baseline and after 3 years of follow-up and HTN was defined by Joint National Committee on prevention, detection, evaluation and treatment of high blood pressure criteria. The odds of HTN after 3 years in each quartile category of dietary PI were estimated by logistic regression model and adjusted for potential variables.
RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 38.0±12.0 years and 43% were male. The mean dietary PI was 29.1±11.8. After 3 years of follow-up, 265 (17.1%) new cases of HTN were identified. No significant changes were observed in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure across quartile categories of dietary PI. After adjustment for confounders,the odds (95% confidence interval) of HTN across quartiles of dietary PI were 1.00, 0.97 (0.62-1.38), 0.69 (0.45-1.07) and 0.52 (0.32-0.84) (P for trend=0.004).
CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of phytochemical-rich foods may prevent the development of HTN. Further investigations are, however, recommended.
