Eating Protein-Packed Foods Everyday Protect Heart like Quitting Smoking

Sharon Moore August 28, 2015

Eating foods that are rich in protein every day saves your heart the way quitting smoking does, new research revealed.

The findings, based on the study of 2,000 British women, found that people who eat lots of protein-rich food were found to have lower blood pressure and more healthy arteries, significantly lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke. According to the researchers from University of East Anglia, the pro-heart benefit of protein-rich foods can be attributed to the amino acids – the building blocks of proteins which help strengthen the cells, tissues and muscles in the body. In their study, women who had high levels of certain amino acids experienced benefits same to those who stopped smoking, reduced salt intake or increased their amount of exercise.

The team studied seven amino acids: glutamic acid, leucine, and tyrosine, which are found in high levels in meat and dairy; and arginine, cysteine, glycine and histidine, which found in certain green vegetables and pulses. The amino acids found in vegetables like beans, lentils, broccoli and spinach were associated with lower blood pressure. Meanwhile, those in dairy, meat and fish were linked to lower levels of arterial stiffness.

‘This research shows a protective effect of several amino acids on cardiovascular health.’ says Dr Amy Jennings, lead researcher from UEA’s Norwich Medical School.

‘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.

‘High blood pressure is one of the most potent risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease.

’A reduction in blood pressure leads to a reduction in mortality caused by stroke or coronary heart disease.

’So changing your diet to include more meat, fish, dairy produce and pulses could help both prevent and treat the condition.

‘Beneficial daily amounts equate to a 75g portion of steak, a 100g salmon fillet or a 500ml glass of skimmed milk.’

The findings were published in the Journal of Nutrition.

Source of this article: Eating steak or salmon every day could be ’as good for your heart as giving up smoking’