Pure whey-protein drinks may maximize protein intake without risk of BP falls in elderly

A new study conducted by Oberoi A and team found that the energy contents in the whey-protein beverages lowers blood pressure (BP) and increases heart rate (HR) instead of macronutrient composition and may last for at least 3 hours after intake. The findings of this study were published in BMC Geriatrics.

Caloric supplements are increasingly being utilized by the elderly in order to boost their regular protein consumption. These high-calorie beverages, particularly those high in glucose and whey protein, may cause potentially dangerous drops in BP. The impact of consuming whey protein with glucose and fat on blood pressure is unclear. It has also been hypothesized that the greatest drop in systolic blood pressure happens within 2 hours of eating.

The purpose of this study was to see how whey protein, alone and in combination with other macronutrients, affected systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure and HR in older men for 3 hours. Thirteen older men (age 75±2yrs; BMI 25.6±0.6 kg/m2) drank one of four drinks on different research days:

1. 70 g whey-protein (P280)

2. 14 g whey-protein, 28 g carbohydrate, 12.4 g fat (M280)

3. 70 g whey-protein, 28 g carbohydrate, 12.4 g fat (M504)

4. a non-caloric control drink (C).

The major findings of this trial are as follow:

1. SBP reduced after all three nutritional drinks compared to the C, with the M504 drink having the highest reduction (P = 0.008).

2. Maximum drops in SBP (C: -14 ±2 mmHg, P280: -22 ±2 mmHg, M280: -22± 4 mmHg, M504: -24 ±3 mmHg) occurred around 2 h after drink administration and were maintained (120-180 min: P280 and M504 vs. C P 0.05).

3. Maximum DBP reductions and HR rises occurred following M504, with no differences in the effects of the P280 and M280 beverages.

In conclusion, pure whey-protein beverages may be the greatest way to increase protein consumption without raising the risk of harmful blood pressure drops in older persons.

Reference: Oberoi, A., Giezenaar, C., Lange, K. et al. Acute effects of whey protein, alone and mixed with other macronutrients, on blood pressure and heart rate in older men. BMC Geriatr 22, 535 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03213-1