Tamarind Intake and Hypertension: An Alarming Association Found in the Bandar Kong Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a significant global public health concern and can elevate the risk of cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica, Fabaceae), a tropical fruit highly valued for its pulp, offers many health benefits, including a reduction in oxidative stress and inflammation. Nonetheless, emerging uncertainties surround Tamarind’s efficacy in certain health aspects. This study examined its potential negative impact on HTN within the Bandar Kong cohort. Materials and Methods: The current study included 2823 participants of the Bandar Kong cohort study, of whom 693 individuals (24.5%) had HTN, with 288 men (25.3%) and 405 women (24.0%) being affected. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the connections between variables and the likelihood of HTN in both men and women. Moreover, multivariable binary logistic regression analysis and multivariable linear regression were utilized to determine the correlation between Tamarind consumption and the risk of HTN. Results: After adjusting for covariates, the odds of HTN in males with moderate consumption of Tamarind were 0.55 higher than in males with low consumption of Tamarind. Tamarind consumption was significantly associated with the risk of HTN in both genders, with males and females who consumed moderate to high amounts having a higher risk. The findings revealed that high consumption of Tamarind was associated with higher diastolic blood pressure (BP) in females. Conclusion: The study suggests that moderate to high consumption of Tamarind may have a negative impact on HTN among both males and females. Although Tamarind is highly valued for its pulp and offers some health benefits, its potential negative impact on HTN should be taken into consideration.