Dietary calcium intake: effects on central blood pressure control

Low dietary intake of calcium has been found to be a risk factor for the development of hypertension in a number of epidemiological studies. Moreover, increased dietary calcium intake has been reported to beneficially influence on blood pressure in both humans and animal models of hypertension, suggesting the relative calcium deficiency may indeed be present in these conditions. The underlying mechanisms for the beneficial effect of positive calcium balance on blood pressure have been a subject for extensive research in essential and experimental hypertension. In this article, the possible beneficial effects of increased dietary calcium intake on central blood pressure control are reviewed.