DAILY CONSUMPTION OF DIFFERENT FRUITS IS ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER SYSTOLIC HOME BLOOD PRESSURE IN POPULATION-BASED STUDY

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Fruit consumption has in epidemiological studies been associated with lower blood pressure. We studied if home blood pressure was different when eating fruit daily compared to non-daily. Design and method: The study design was cross-sectional. Validated food frequency questionnaires and blood pressure monitors were used. The fruits asked for were bananas, apples and pears, citrus fruits including oranges and other fruit or berries. Dichotomisation was done into daily and non-daily fruit consumption. A subgroup analysis was performed regarding self-reported hypertension diagnosis at baseline. Means and differences were analysed with independent t-test. Results: In total there were 5057 participants (2531 men and 2526 women). Home blood pressure values were available in 5029 cases, with a mean of 120.8 ± 13.9 / 77.9 ± 8.7 mmHg. There were 1016 individuals in the population stating they had hypertension. Missing data on fruit consumption ranged from 18.0 % in the banana group to 28.1% in other fruit or berries in the total population. The proportion of individuals with valid values eating other fruit or berries daily was 18.9% (n = 686) and non-daily consumption at 81.1% (n = 2953). The systolic blood pressure levels for the population were on average significantly lower when consuming fruit daily. The greatest difference was when eating other fruit or berries daily (n = 679), with 116.8 ± 13.3 mmHg compared to 120.5 ± 13.8 mmHg non-daily (n = 2940, p < 0.001). The largest difference in the material was found in those with hypertension diagnosis eating other fruit or berries daily (n = 119) with 123.9 ± 13.8 mmHg compared to non-daily (n = 585) 129.7 ± 12.0 mmHg (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Overall the blood pressure levels were lower in those consuming fruit daily. The largest difference in systolic blood pressure was when having hypertension and eating other fruit or berries daily compared to non-daily. Due to cross-sectional design, inference analysis is not possible. Further studies on the impact of different fruit consumption on home blood pressure seem warranted, particularly in patients with hypertension.