Eat Vegetable Protein to Lower Blood Pressure

High protein snacks made from vegetable source may help to lower blood pressure. Keeping correct blood pressure levels in important for heart health. According to Real Age (realage.com), keeping blood pressure at 115/76 mm Hg can make your real age as much as 12 years younger that your actual physical age.

Protein is important for building the muscles and keeping the body functioning properly. Many people think of meat when they think of protein. It's true that meat is an excellent source of protein, but meat is not the only source of dietary protein. Recent research has shown that diets with ample amounts of vegetable protein may help to keep the blood pressure down.

Good sources of vegetable protein include sunflower seeds, nuts (cashew, almond, walnut, filbert, Brazil nut) and beans (kidney, pinto, lentil). Soy protein is an excellent source of protein, which is found in many powdered formulas, nutrition drinks and protein bars.. Soy protein is the foundation of many protein shakes, protein supplements, protein powders and protein drinks. Vegetable sources of protein can give you important protein from vegetable sources.

Some vegetable proteins are considered to be incomplete proteins, which means they lack the important amino acids required for the body to fully utilize the protein. Soy protein is an exception to this. Soybean protein is a complete protein. Diets that rely on vegetable sources of protein should include a variety of sources to help achieve a balanced amino acid intake.

Vegetable sources that are rich in protein also contain valuable fiber and other disease fighting nutrients. Diets that are rich in vegetables may also help to lower blood pressure, help to control weight and reduce obesity, reduce heart disease, protect against diabetes and protect against certain types of cancer.

It is possible that the negative association between excessive intake of animal protein and disease is due to the high fat content of some meat sources of protein..

According to the Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals, people should eat protein from vegetable sources to lower their blood pressure. The report, published on January 9, 2006, stated that most adults have high blood pressure (hypertension) or prehypertensive blood pressure. Previous studies indicated that people who eat meat protein tend to have higher blood pressure levels. There is other research that indicates that the effects of high overall protein intake are most likely to have lower blood pressure.

The study, conducted by Paul Elliott, M.B., PhD, for Imperial College London and colleagues analyzed data from the INTERMAP study. The study included 4,680 people aged from 40 to 59 years old. Study participants kept as food diary, noting everything they ate and drank, including dietary supplements. In addition to the data from the food records, urine samples were taken at regular intervals

Study results found that the people who got their protein from vegetable sources were likely to have lower blood pressure that people who got their protein from meat. In contrast to previous studies, there was no link between total protein intake and blood pressure.

The researchers were not sure how vegetable proteins affected blood pressure, but noted that amino acids may play a role.

Vegetable sources of protein also have the advantage of fiber and important nutrients.

According to the Harvard School of Public health, animal protein and vegetable protein probably have the same effects on health. The difference is the protein package that likely makes the difference. That 6 ounce broiled Porterhouse steak packs a whopping 38 grams of high quality protein, which is great. That same steak also delivers 44 grams of fat. of those 44 fat grams, 16 grams are saturated fat.

This is nearly three quarters of the recommended daily intake of saturated fat. In contrast, a similar sized piece of salmon delivers 34 grams of protein, with 18 grams of fat, 4 of which are saturated. A cup of cooked lentils offers 18 grams of proteins, with under 1 gram of fat.

When make protein choices, look for the benefit of high protein, balanced by low fat. Beef lovers should stick with the leanest cuts of beef. Fish and poultry and excellent protein sources, which are low in fat. The best choices are the vegetable sources that offer high protein with little fat.

Great vegetable sources of protein include beans, nuts and whole grains.

A great way to add vegetable protein to the diet is to start eating protein rich snacks, such as sunflower seeds, or nuts. These protein rich snacks can give you a boost, while staving off hunger pains. Snacking on seeds may prevent overeating on the proteins that are higher in fat.

Information is this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical condition, consult a physician.