Associations between whole grains intake and new-onset hypertension: a prospective cohort study

• Published in: European journal of nutrition Vol. 63; no. 7; pp. 2437 - 2447
• Main Authors: Xu, Zi-Hao, Tang, Xu-Lian, Qiu, Cheng-Shen, Li, Hong-Min, Liao, Dan-Qing, Du, Li-Ying, Lai, Shu-Min, Huang, Hong-Xuan, Xiong, Zhi-Yuan, Li, Xiao-Ning, Zhao, Li-Na, Li, Zhi-Hao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.10.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; China - epidemiology; Cohort Studies; Diet - methods; Diet - statistics & numerical data; Dietary intake; Epidemiology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Food intake; Grain; Humans; Hypertension; Hypertension - epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition; Nutrition Surveys - methods; Nutrition Surveys - statistics & numerical data; Original Contribution; Population studies; Proportional Hazards Models; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Whole Grains; China; Whole grain; Blood pressure; New-onset hypertension; Prospective cohort study
• ISSN: 1436-6207; 1436-6215; 1436-6215
• DOI: 10.1007/s00394-024-03434-7

Importance Epidemiological evidences regarding the association between whole grain intake and the risk of new-onset hypertension are still controversial. Objective We aimed to investigate the relationship between whole grain intake and new-onset hypertension and examine possible effect modifiers in the general population. Methods A total of 10,973 participants without hypertension from the China Health and Nutrition Survey were enrolled, with follow-up beginning in 1997 and ending in 2015. Whole grain intake was assessed by 3 consecutive 24-h dietary recalls combined with a household food inventory. Multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression model after adjusting for potential risk factors. Results During a median follow-up of 7.0 years, 3,733 participants developed new-onset hypertension. The adjusted HRs (95% CIs) were as follows: for quartile 2 (HR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.47–0.57), quartile 3 (HR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.42–0.51), and quartile 4 (HR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.31–0.38), compared with quartile 1. Different types of whole grain types, including wheat (adjusted HR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.32–0.39), maize (adjusted HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.42–0.59), and millet (adjusted HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.30–0.48), showed significant associations with a reduced risk of hypertension. The association between whole grain intake and new-onset hypertension was stronger in individuals with older age ( P for interaction < 0.001) and higher BMI ( P for interaction < 0.001). Conclusion Higher consumption of whole grains was significantly associated with a lower risk of new-onset hypertension. This study provides further evidence supporting the importance of increasing whole grain intake for hypertension prevention among Chinese adults.