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Abstract
The inverse relationship between intake of dairy products and blood pressure levels was first suggested by several epidemiologic surveys in the early 1980’s that revealed low calcium intake in populations with increased prevalence of hypertension. Subsequent laboratory and clinical investigations provided further evidence of the association between calcium and blood pressure, but the results of these studies were often inconsistent due to variations in study design and methods, study participants and calcium sources. The recently published results of the large and carefully executed Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Study, “DASH,” which demonstrated a dramatic blood-pressure lowering effect of diets rich in dairy products, fruits and vegetables, addressed many of the issues contributing to the inconsistencies in the blood pressure-calcium data. In the following review, we discuss the evolution of the scientific evidence of the association between dietary calcium intake and blood pressure, the findings and significance of the DASH trial and the consensus that now exists among health professionals regarding the importance of adequate dairy product intake for optimal blood pressure regulation.
Key teaching points
• Epidemiologic evidence first indicated a relationship between calcium intake and blood pressure control that was later supported by results of both laboratory and clinical studies.
• The DASH study assessed the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure and observed the greatest reductions with diets containing high levels of dairy foods, fruits and vegetables.
• The DASH findings are consistent with the earlier epidemiologic, laboratory and clinical intervention studies.
• Meta-analyses of observational surveys and randomized controlled trials predict blood pressure decreases at the levels observed in the DASH study.
• Three to four daily servings of dairy products are recommended as adequate intake for optimal blood pressure control and bone health as well as prevention of other diseases including osteoporosis and some forms of cancer.
Key teaching points
• Epidemiologic evidence first indicated a relationship between calcium intake and blood pressure control that was later supported by results of both laboratory and clinical studies.
• The DASH study assessed the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure and observed the greatest reductions with diets containing high levels of dairy foods, fruits and vegetables.
• The DASH findings are consistent with the earlier epidemiologic, laboratory and clinical intervention studies.
• Meta-analyses of observational surveys and randomized controlled trials predict blood pressure decreases at the levels observed in the DASH study.
• Three to four daily servings of dairy products are recommended as adequate intake for optimal blood pressure control and bone health as well as prevention of other diseases including osteoporosis and some forms of cancer.