Women who increase their daily dietary intake of folate reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure by almost a third, U.S. researchers said.
Folate has been shown to reduce levels of homocysteine, a blood component that can damage blood vessels. It may also help blood vessels relax, improving blood flow, said Dr. John Forman, lead author of the study and a research and clinical fellow at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
Folate is a B-vitamin found in citrus fruits; tomatoes; leafy green vegetables such as spinach and romaine lettuce; pinto, navy, and kidney beans; and grain products. Since January 1998, wheat flour has been fortified with folic acid, the synthetic form of folate, to add an estimated 100 micrograms per day to the average diet.
Researchers studied more than 150,000 women to determine if there was a link between risk of high blood pressure and their level of folate intake, including supplements. They studied two age groups -- women 26-46 years old, and 43-70. Researchers found the most dramatic effects among the younger group.
The report was presented Monday at the American Heart Association's 58th Annual High Blood Pressure Research Conference.
© Copyright 2004 by United Press International
