Tomatoes, championed by the American Heart Association (AHA) for their potassium content, have demonstrated additional heart health benefits in a Spanish study involving more than 7,000 adults aged 55 to 80. The research revealed that the daily consumption of one large tomato's equivalent (approximately 4 ounces) could potentially reduce the risk of high blood pressure by up to 36%. Published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, the study spanned three years and included participants with high-risk factors for heart issues, such as diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity, and a family history of early-onset cardiovascular disease.
At the study's commencement, over 82% of participants already had high blood pressure. They were categorized into three groups based on their hypertension levels: Grade 1 hypertension (systolic 140 to 159 mmHg and diastolic 90 to 99 mmHg), Grade 2 hypertension (systolic 160 to 179 mmHg and diastolic 100 to 109 mmHg), and Grade 3 hypertension (systolic 180 mmHg or higher and diastolic 110 mmHg or higher).
Participants completed diet and physical activity questionnaires, and daily tomato consumption was determined from items such as raw tomatoes, tomato sauce, and gazpacho. The study observed a notable association between increased tomato consumption and lower blood pressure readings.
In comparison to the lowest consumption group (1.5 ounces or less), the highest consumption group (about 4 ounces or more) demonstrated a 36% lower overall hypertension risk. Additionally, there was a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure (down 0.65 mmHg) in the medium tomato consumption group compared to the lowest consumption group.
While the study highlighted the potential benefits of tomatoes in managing blood pressure, the reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significant only in participants with Grade 1 hypertension, not in those with higher blood pressure levels. The authors suggested that the absence of an inverse association in higher hypertension grades could be attributed to the elderly nature of the study population, most of whom had longstanding hypertension at the outset.
Source: www.everydayhealth.com