How can glutamic acid help lower blood pressure?

In a recent study, the more glutamic acid (a vegetable protein) people got in their diets, the better their blood pressure was. Researchers aren't sure how glutamic acid affects blood pressure, but it's possible that components of glutamic acid enhance the blood-pressure-lowering effects of nitric oxide or help blood vessels relax.

Whole-wheat foods are one source. You can also get glutamic acid from rice, beans, and soy products like tofu. In fact, just a 4.7% increase in the proportion of protein people got from glutamic acid instead of other sources was associated with systolic numbers that were 1.5 to 3 points lower on average. And diastolic readings were lower, too, by about 1 to 1.6 points. The effect occurred in both men and women but was strongest in women.

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