BMC Geriatrics (Jun 2022)

Acute effects of whey protein, alone and mixed with other macronutrients, on blood pressure and heart rate in older men

  • Avneet Oberoi,
  • Caroline Giezenaar,
  • Kylie Lange,
  • Karen L. Jones,
  • Michael Horowitz,
  • Ian Chapman,
  • Stijn Soenen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03213-1
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 1
pp. 1 – 6

Abstract

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Abstract Background Caloric supplements are increasingly used by older people, aiming to increase their daily protein intake. These high caloric drinks, rich in glucose and whey-protein in particular, may result in potential harmful decreases in blood pressure (BP). The effect of ingesting whey-protein with glucose and fat on BP is unknown. It has also been assumed that the maximum fall in systolic blood pressure occurs within 2 h of a meal. Methods This study aimed to determine in older men, the effects of whey-protein, alone and mixed with other macronutrients, on systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure and heart rate (HR) in older men for 3 h. Thirteen older men (age 75 ± 2yrs; body mass index (BMI) 25.6 ± 0.6 kg/m2) ingested a drink on separate study days: (i) 70 g whey-protein (P280); (ii) 14 g whey-protein, 28 g carbohydrate, 12.4 g fat (M280); (iii) 70 g whey-protein, 28 g carbohydrate, 12.4 g fat (M504); or (iv) a non-caloric control drink (C). Results SBP decreased after all three nutrient drinks compared to the C, with the greatest reduction after the M504 drink (P = 0.008). Maximal decreases in SBP (C: -14 ± 2 mmHg, P280: -22 ± 2 mmHg, M280: -22 ± 4 mmHg, M504: -24 ± 3 mmHg) occurred about 2 h after drink ingestion and this fall was sustained thereafter (120-180 min: P280 and M504 vs. C P < 0.05). Maximum DBP decreases and HR increases occurred after M504, with no differences between the effects of the P280 and M280 drinks. Conclusions The effects of whey-protein containing drinks to lower BP and increase HR appear to be primarily dependent on their energy content rather than macronutrient composition and may persist for at least 3 h after ingestion,. Pure whey-protein drinks may represent the best approach to maximize protein intake without increasing the potential for deleterious BP falls in older people. Trial registration ACTRN12614000846628 , 14/03/2019.

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