Southern diet accused of high blood pressure among African Americans

There is a huge disparity in the rates of high blood pressure among black and white Americans, and scientists believe that southern food could partly explain this situation.

According to researchers at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Southern cuisine mainly includes fried foods, processed meats, processed meats, eggs and egg-based dishes, added fat, high fat dairy products, sugary drinks and bread

Heart disease is the single most important contributor to the reduction in average life span between blacks and whites in the United States. To find out why, scientists have studied the rates of high blood pressure in African Americans and whites.

The resulting study published in the journal JAMA found that African Americans were more likely to eat Southern cuisine. And products such as processed meats, including country ham, cornbread and egg-based dishes drizzled with sweetened beverages have proven to be the most powerful factors in increasing egg levels. 39; hypertension.

Researchers at the University of Alabama in Birmingham discovered that the southern diet was associated with an increased risk of hypertension. Getty Images

George Howard, senior author of the study and chair of the Biostatistics Council of the University of Alabama at the Birmingham School of Public Health, said Newsweek: "This difference in the prevalence of hypertension is immense.

"In our national study of people over 45, about 50% of whites suffer from hypertension, compared to about 70% of blacks. It's huge. We think that changing this difference is … the "holy grail" of disparities research, "or at least one of them," he said.

The team collected data on nearly 6,900 men and women aged 45 years and over across the United States for nearly 10 years as part of the Reasons for Geographical and Racial Differences in Stroke cohort cohort (LOOK ).

The team examined 12 social and clinical factors that can explain hypertension rates: education level, income, BMI, respect for the traditional South diet, sodium / potassium ratio in the diet, waistline, stress level.

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Of all participants, 46% of blacks developed high blood pressure. During the same period, 33% of white volunteers were diagnosed with the disease.

The southern diet appeared to account for 51.6% of the risk of high blood pressure in black men and nearly 30% of the risk in black women, the researchers found.

However, Howard pointed out that it can be difficult to unravel the many variables that can drive a person to hypertension.

"It is impossible to guess which component of this diet corresponds to the" quick fix "," he said. "On the contrary, it could be all the foods eaten together.The combination of a high-sodium diet with an excess of calories from fat and sugar and a limited number of "Beneficial foods containing antioxidants, vitamins and minerals probably create the perfect storm to make this diet less healthy."

The study adds to previous research linking diet, cancer, stroke, coronary heart disease, kidney disease, and cognitive decline.

The DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, in lean meats and whole grains, would reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Getty Images

"It is interesting to note that the diet contributes more to the racial disparity of hypertension than overweight, suggesting that we are considering interventions to increase healthy foods while minimizing fried foods and processed meats," did he declare.

As with all scientific work, the study has some drawbacks and the results are not as tight as the researchers hoped. Only about half of participants returned to follow-up testing: one-fifth died and 30% withdrew. However, Howard said that the team has taken this change into account "and that this does not seem to be a major concern, however, we can not be sure."

Kristen Kizer, a registered dietitian who did not participate in the research, said Newsweek she was struck by the fact that food was more important than any other factor.

"We know since the 1990s, during the first DASH study (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), that diet had a big influence on blood pressure. The DASH diet promotes high consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and whole grains, which are not particularly abundant in a southern diet. "

"One of the next steps would be to understand why we follow a traditional southern diet and what other influences are present in eating habits," she said. "The food is very cultural and very personal and depends on taste preferences, food availability, familiarity with certain foods, cost, convenience, nostalgia, emotions and motivation around. the health."

Alice H. Lichtenstein, professor of nutrition science and policy at Tufts University who did not participate in the study, Newsweek: "The most important message to be drawn from this finding is the [high blood pressure] can be improved by a lifestyle modification. "

Lichtenstein advised people to stick to a set of vegetables, fruits, cereals (at least half of which are whole grains), dairy products that are fat-free or low-fat (milk, yogurt, cheese and or fortified soy) and a variety of protein foods (seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, beans, nuts, seeds and soy products).

The use of liquid vegetable oils for food preparation (soy, canola, corn and olives, for example) was also important, she said. She concluded: "Avoid excessive salt intake by limiting the use of processed foods and by preparing more food at home."