Racial differences in mineral intake in ambulatory normotensives and hypertensives

This study was designed to determine dietary mineral intake of black and white normotensives and hypertensives and to identify specific food categories which contribute to observed differences. Sixty-six subjects completed 4-day dietary intake records. Nutrient intake was estimated and patterns of food intake were determined. There were racial differences in dietary mineral intake with both white normotensives and hypertensives ingesting more potassium than their black counterparts and white normotensives consuming more calcium and magnesium than white hypertensives and both groups of blacks. White normotensives also used more high sodium chloride foods than did other groups. It appears that decreased intake of potassium and calcium in blacks may account, in part, for the increased tendency to salt sensitivity and hypertension in this population.