Zinc plays a crucial role in various biological functions of the body and can have a significant impact on the risk of high blood pressure. It should be noted that not only a zinc deficiency, but also exceeding a certain limit increases the risk.
A new study involving experts from the Southern Medical University in China examined the connection between dietary zinc intake and new-onset hypertension. The results have been published in the English-language journal “Frontiers of Medicine”.
Health risks from high blood pressure
High blood pressure is detrimental to health and is considered one of the main causes of cardiovascular disease and premature death, the team reports. The number of diseases caused by high blood pressure is steadily increasing worldwide.
Various previous studies also produced contradictory results about the connection between zinc intake and high blood pressure, the researchers continued. To gain clarity about possible connections, the experts now evaluated the data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey.
Participants who were pregnant or younger than 18 years old or for whom no blood pressure data were available were excluded, the team reports.
Diet and blood pressure determined
The experts determined the participants' eating habits based on self-reports. The nutrient intake was then calculated using various tables on food composition.
Measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were used to identify new-onset cases of hypertension among participants. If participants were receiving antihypertensive therapy, this was also defined as hypertension, the team explains.
Relationship between zinc intake and high blood pressure
The final analysis included 12,177 participants, of whom 4,269 developed hypertension during a mean follow-up of 6.1 years.
The researchers found that there is a so-called J-shaped relationship between dietary zinc intake and the risk of new-onset hypertension.
The risk of high blood pressure decreased significantly in participants with a zinc intake of less than 10.9 mg/day when the daily zinc intake increased. In contrast, from 10.9 mg/day onwards, the risk of high blood pressure increased again with the increase in zinc intake, the experts add in a press release.
The observed association between zinc intake and the risk of hypertension suggests that not only low but also high zinc intake may be associated with an increased risk of hypertension.
The new study provides important new insights into the connection between dietary zinc intake and the occurrence of high blood pressure, which could also help prevent high blood pressure through optimal zinc intake. (as)