Soy Milk Lowers Blood Pressure in Men and Women with Mild to Moderate Essential Hypertension

Abstract

Soy-based diets reduce blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats, but apparently not in hypertensive humans. In the present study, the antihypertensive potential of soy milk (500 mL twice daily) compared with cow's milk was investigated in a 3-mo double-blind randomized study of 40 men and women with mild-to-moderate hypertension. Before initiation of the study, urinary isoflavonoids (measured by HPLC) were undetectable in most cases (for genistein, they were always <100 micromol/L). After 3 mo of soy milk consumption, systolic blood pressure decreased by 18.4 +/- 10.7 mmHg compared with 1.4 +/- 7.2 mmHg in the cow's milk group (P < 0.0001), diastolic blood pressure decreased by 15.9 +/- 9.8 mmHg vs. 3.7 +/- 5.0 mmHg in the cow's milk group (P < 0.0001) and mean blood pressure decreased by 16.7 +/- 9.0 mmHg compared with 3.0 +/- 4.6 mmHg in the cow's milk group (P < 0.0001). Urinary genistein was strongly (r = -0.588) and significantly (P = 0.002) correlated with the decrease in blood pressure, particularly for diastolic values. In conclusion, chronic soy milk consumption had modest, but significant hypotensive action in essential hypertensive subjects. This hypotensive action was correlated with the urinary excretion of the isoflavonoid genistein.

The Effects of Cirsium japonicum on Lipid Profile in Ovariectomized Rats

“…Clinical trials showed that dietary isoflavones improved systemic arterial compliance in men and postmenopausal women, increased plasma nitrite/nitrate, decreased endothelin-1 levels, and increased brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (Teede et al, 2003;Squadrito et al, 2003). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has endorsed the benefits of soy-based food products in lowering arterial blood pressure and oxidative stress in human subjects with mild to moderate hypertension (Hodgson et al, 1999;Rivas et al, 2002). In addition, a recent report showed that dietary soy protein leads to increased antioxidant, endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene expression and protected cancers, resulting in improved endothelial function in vitro, and reduced blood pressure in vivo in aging male rats (Mahn et al, 2005).…”

Long-term effects of a plant-based dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods on blood pressure

“…Change in alcohol consumption did not appear to be a factor since alcohol intake was reported to be very low and was constant across the study period. Fiber and soy proteins have also been associated with blood pressure reduction, although the mechanisms have not been clearly defined (Dodson, 1980;Rivas et al, 2002;Kreijkamp-Kaspers et al, 2005;Streppel et al, 2005). Almonds and other nuts are rich sources of minerals (calcium, magnesium and potassium; Intersalt: an international study of electrolyte excretion and blood pressure, 1988; Griffith et al, 1999;Resnick et al, 2000), which have been associated with a beneficial effect on blood pressure (Food and Drug Administration Dockets Management 00Q-158, 2000; Jee et al, 2002;van Mierlo et al, 2006).…”

“…Since, in addition to lipid reduction, at least two of these components had potential blood pressure lowering properties (Dodson, 1980;Rivas et al, 2002;Kreijkamp-Kaspers et al, 2005;Streppel et al, 2005), we also considered it of interest to assess the effect of this diet on blood pressure as a key modifiable factor which together with blood lipids contribute to coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. The blood lipid data have been reported (Jenkins et al, 2006).…”

Wytyczne ESH/ESC dotyczące postępowania w nadciśnieniu tętniczym w 2013 roku

“…Pacjentom z nadciśnieniem należy zalecać spożywanie ryb co najmniej 2 razy w tygodniu, a spożycie owoców i warzyw powinno wynosić 300-400 g dziennie. Stwierdzono, że mleko sojowe obniżało BP w porównaniu z odtłuszczonym mlekiem krowim [359]. Modyfikacjom sposobu odżywiania powinny towarzyszyć inne zmiany stylu życia.…”