Endurance training whether running, cycling or swimming supports cardiovascular health while building your level of fitness. Now a study published in The Journal of Nutrition suggests consuming certain amino acids can also make a difference.

Researchers examined the eating habits of 1,898 female twins between the ages of 18 and 75 registered in the TwinsUK database. Answers to food frequency questionnaires helped them calculate individual intake of arginine, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, leucine and tyrosine from protein foods.

It was determined that higher protein intake and consumption of these 7 amino acids was associated with lower systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and pulse wave velocity which is a measurement of blood vessel stiffness.

True Strength Moment: These amino acids are found in meat, dairy and vegetable foods. In fact, higher consumption of amino acids from plant sources was associated with lower central blood pressure. Add this to the growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of a healthy, balanced diet.