Amino acid is your hearts' new best friend - and it has effect as good as doing exercise and quitting smoking, says a new study conducted by the University of East Anglia (UEA).
According to the study published in Science Daily, people who eat protein foods that contain high levels of amino acid have been found to have lower blood pressure and arterial stiffness. And even the degree of the association is similar to those reported previously for lifestyle risk factors including salt intake, physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking.
In the said report, researchers investigated the possible effect of seven amino acids on cardiovascular health among almost 2,000 women with a healthy BMI. Their diets have been closely monitored and was compared to the clinical measures of blood pressure, blood vessel thickness and stiffness.
"This research shows a protective effect of several amino acids on cardiovascular health. Increasing intake from protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, dairy produce, beans, lentils, broccoli and spinach could be an important and readily achievable way to reduce people's risk of cardiovascular disease," said the lead researcher, Dr. Amy Jennings of UEA's Norwich Medical School.
It has also been found that the food source plays an important part in the study. The results shows that the higher intake of amino acids from plant-based sources was associated with the person having a lower blood pressure, while the higher intake of animal based sources was associated with lower level or arterial stiffness.
She further explains: "The really surprising thing that we found is that amino acid intake has as much of an effect on blood pressure as established lifestyle risk factors such as salt intake, physical activity and alcohol consumption. For arterial stiffness, the association was similar to the magnitude of change previously associated with not smoking."
Researchers also said that changing your diet with increased intake of meat, fish and dairy produce could help prevent and treat high blood pressure - lowering the risk of developing other cardiovascular diseases in the long run.
"Beneficial daily amounts equate to a 75g portion of steak, a 100g salmon fillet or a 500ml glass of skimmed milk," Dr. Jennings added.
