Relationship between dietary factors and blood pressure in China. The Sino-Japan CARDIAC Cooperative Research Group.

As part of the international cooperative Cardiovascular Diseases and Alimentary Comparison (CARDIAC) Study, we carried out surveys for the relationship of dietary factors to blood pressure (BP) in 10 areas in China, (Altai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Guiyang, Hetian, Lhasa, Shanghai, Shijiazhuang, Tulufan, and Urumqi). Systolic BP and diastolic BP were significantly positively associated with salt excretion and body mass index. However, 3-methylhistidine divided by creatinine, and taurine divided by urea nitrogen in 24-h urine were significantly negatively associated with both BPs. These results suggest that meat protein intake may beneficially influence BP, whereas salt may adversely affect BP.