No association between dietary markers and incident hypertension in a population-based sample.

Background/aim: Many trials have shown that dietary interventions reduce the incidence of hypertension. Whether these findings also apply in the general population is debated. We assessed the association between dietary markers and incidence of hypertension.

Design: prospective observational study.

Methods: Population-based study conducted between April 2009 and April 2017 in Lausanne, Switzerland. 2079 participants (60.6% women, 53.9 ± 9.0 years, age range 40-80), devoid of hypertension at baseline, were followed for a median time of 63 months. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mm Hg or anti-hypertensive medication. Self-reported dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Analysis was conducted using logistic regression.

Results: 370 participants (17.8%) developed hypertension. On bivariate analysis, no association was found between all food items, dietary scores and compliance to dietary guidelines and incident hypertension. Similar findings were observed after multivariable analysis.

Conclusion: Over a period of 5 years, one sixth of the Swiss population aged 40 to 80 developed hypertension. No association was found between dietary markers and incident hypertension. Current dietary behaviours are insufficient to prevent hypertension in the general population.