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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : October 8, 2014 11:06 AM IST
According to a new study that appeared in the Journal of Human Hypertension, lean beef may reduce some risk factors of heart disease. The study mentions that lean beef is rich in nutrients and can be included in heart-healthy diet plan unlike what the DASH dietary plan (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA) suggests.
Lean beef may help reduce blood pressure, which can help lower the risk for cardiovascular disease, researchers said. 'This research adds to the significant evidence, including work previously done in our lab, that supports lean beef's role in a heart-healthy diet,' said Penny M Kris-Etherton, Distinguished Professor of Nutrition, Penn State.
Lean beef can be enjoyed as the predominant protein source in a DASH-like diet, along with fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy, to effectively help lower blood pressure in healthy individuals, the researchers. This DASH-like diet is also called the BOLD+ diet - Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet plus additional protein.
The study tested four diets to find out their effect on vascular health. The diets tested included the Healthy American Diet - which served as the control - the BOLD+ diet, the BOLD diet and the DASH diet. The control diet consisted of 0.7 ounces of lean beef per day, while the DASH diet included 1.0 ounce. The BOLD diet had 4.0 ounces and the BOLD+ diet included 5.4 ounces of lean beef.
The study included 36 participants, between the ages of 30 and 65. All participants followed each diet at different times throughout the study period. Subjects were randomly assigned an order to follow each of the four diet plans for five weeks each, with a break of one week in between each new plan. Blood pressure was taken at the beginning and end of each diet period.
The BOLD+ diet was more effective at reducing blood pressure when compared to the other diets tested. 'This evidence suggests that it is the total protein intake - not the type of protein - that is instrumental in reducing blood pressure, as part of a DASH-like dietary pattern,' the researchers said.
Here's are some heart healthy foods you should know:
Read: Top 10 heart healthy foods
With inputs from PTI
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