New research suggests that potassium may the negative hypertensive effects of sodium. In a study of almost 3,000 participants urine samples were collected intermittently over either 18 or 36 months. The participants, all 30-54 years old and had blood pressure just below levels considered high, were tracked for 10-15 years. Those in the study who had high sodium levels were 20% more likely to suffer from various forms of cardiovascular disease; however, these results were not considered statistically significant. In contrast, participants who had the highest sodium-to-potassium ratios were 50% …

New research suggests that eggs may have a plethora of health benefits, including the potential to lower blood pressure.
Canadian researchers reported in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that they have been able to identify peptides that appear to act like ACE inhibitors in boiled and even more so in fried eggs. Further research is needed to determine if these proteins really do lower blood pressure in people.
For more information see:
American Chemical Society (2009, March 1). Egg-Irony: High Cholesterol Food May Reduce Blood Pressure. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 1, 2011, …

Could your pet be good for your heart? New research shows that blood pressure may be healthier among pet owners.
Several studies have been done to better understand the relationship between health and pet ownership. Dr Deborah Wells in an article published in the British Journal of Health Psychology reported that dogs owners in particular tend to have lower blood pressure, cholesterol, healthier overall and have fewer minor ailments and serious medical problems when compared to the general population.
Another study focused specifically on pet ownership and hypertension. A group …

A cohort of over 2290 elderly volunteers both completed a food frequency questionnaire and had their blood pressure professionally monitored for 12 months. The study found those who consumed the highest amounts low-fat dairy had statistically significant lower blood pressure than those who consumed the least low-fat dairy products.
There are a number of hypotheses for the tie between lower blood pressure and low-fat dairy consumption. One is based on the idea that specific animal milk proteins act like ACE inhibitors and the other on the concept that calcium plays a …