Nagoya University Study Links Tellurium in Food to High Blood Pressure
A recent study led by Nagoya University in Japan has found that higher amounts of tellurium, a pollutant from mining and manufacturing, in food can increase the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension). The research involved 2,592 Japanese adults and showed that dietary intake is a significant contributor to urinary tellurium levels.
According to Takumi Kagawa, one of the researchers, the findings are significant as they indicate that tellurium exposure may contribute to elevated blood pressure, a major public health concern. The study was published in the journal Environment International.
In Japan, popular dietary choices like cereals and legumes, including rice and natto (fermented soybeans), are packed with essential nutrients but can also contain tellurium. This rare metalloid is released into the soil through mining and manufacturing activities and can be transferred to crops.
The study revealed that higher levels of tellurium in urine were associated with higher blood pressure and a greater occurrence of hypertension. The results were consistent in both mice and humans. Lead author Tomoko Misawa explained that when tellurium exposure was stopped, both blood pressure and urinary tellurium levels decreased.
Professor Masashi Kato and his team also studied foods that raise tellurium levels in urine. They found that while cereals and legumes increased tellurium levels, they did not directly increase the risk of hypertension. However, continuous monitoring of tellurium levels in foods is recommended to mitigate potential risks.
Professor Kato noted that the urinary tellurium levels in the study were comparable to those in general populations worldwide, indicating that the increased risk of hypertension from tellurium exposure could be a global concern.
Doubts Revealed
Nagoya University -: Nagoya University is a famous school in Japan where people study and do research.
Tellurium -: Tellurium is a rare metal that can be harmful if it gets into our food. It comes from places like mines and factories.
High Blood Pressure -: High blood pressure is when the blood in your body pushes too hard against your blood vessels. It can make you sick if not controlled.
Pollutant -: A pollutant is something dirty or harmful that can make the air, water, or food unsafe.
Mining and Manufacturing -: Mining is digging up materials from the earth, and manufacturing is making things in factories. Both can sometimes create pollution.
Hypertension -: Hypertension is another word for high blood pressure.
Cereals and Legumes -: Cereals are grains like rice and wheat, and legumes are beans and lentils. They are common foods in many diets.
Environment International -: Environment International is a magazine where scientists share their research about how the environment affects our health.
