Relation of iron and red meat intake to blood pressure: cross sectional epidemiological study

Abstract

Objective To investigate associations of dietary iron (total, haem, and non-haem), supplemental iron, and red meat with blood pressure. Design Cross sectional epidemiological study. Setting 17 population samples from Japan, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States participating in the international collaborative study on macro-/micronutrients and blood pressure (INTERMAP). Participants 4680 adults aged 40-59. Main outcome measure Average of eight blood pressure readings. Results In multiple linear regression analyses dietary total iron and non-haem iron were consistently inversely associated with blood pressure. With adjustment for potential non-dietary and dietary confounders, dietary total iron intake higher by 4.20 mg/4.2 MJ (2 SD) was associated with −1.39 mm Hg (PConclusion Non-haem iron has a possible role in the prevention and control of adverse blood pressure levels. An unfavourable effect of red meat on blood pressure was observed. These results need confirmation including in prospective studies, clinical trials, and from experimental evidence on possible mechanisms.