Association of Dairy Consumption and 24-Hour Blood Pressure in Older Adults with Hypertension.

BACKGROUND

The aim was to examine the association between habitual consumption of dairy products and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring among older adults with hypertension.

METHODS

We conducted an analysis of 715 community-living hypertensive adults age ≥60. Habitual dairy consumption was assessed with a validated diet history. Blood pressure was recorded by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring; controlled blood pressure was defined as 24-hour blood pressure <130/80mm Hg in those under drug treatment. Analyses were adjusted for main confounders, including diet, hypertension duration, and being on antihypertensive treatment.

RESULTS

After adjustment for confounders, consumers of ≥7 servings/week of whole-fat milk/yogurt had a diastolic blood pressure 1.40mm Hg higher (95% confidence interval, 0.01, 2.81) than consumers of <1 serving/week. By contrast, consumers of ≥7 servings/week of low-fat milk/yogurt had a diastolic blood pressure 1.74mm Hg lower (95% confidence interval, -3.26, -0.23) than consumers of <1 serving/week. Moreover, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for controlled blood pressure was 1.83 (1.05-3.08) for those consuming ≥7 servings/week of low-fat milk/yogurt, when compared with consumers of <1 serving/week. Cheese consumption was not associated with blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

Regular consumption of low-fat milk/yogurt was associated with lower 24-hour diastolic blood pressure and with better blood pressure control among older adults with hypertension.