AIM  To explore the relationship between local specialty diet and hypertension of rural residents in Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province.

  METHODS  A semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire survey of local specialty diet and measurements of blood pressure were conducted in adult residents at the ages of 18-80 years in Hanzhong City. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 18.0 and comparisons of continuous variables were performed with the students’ test and Mann–Whitney U-test. χ² test was performed to test the differences between categorical variables. The association between local specialty diet, food intakes and prevalence of hypertension were respectively evaluated using logistic regression models.

  RESULTS  A total of 3 018 residents (male 34.8% and female 65.2%) were included in this study. The prevalence of hypertension was 37.8% (n = 1 142) and the average age of the subjects was (50±12) years old. The average quantity of consumed sheet jelly or steamed cold noodles, Chinese sauerkraut, soybean products, leafy greens, potatoes and tea were respectively (50±59) g, (44±77) g, (48±66) g, (328±325) g, (71±97) g and (466±929) ml per day. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that there were negative correlations between the prevalence of hypertension and quantity of sheet jelly or steamed cold noodles and potatoes (P < 0.05 each). However, intake of Chinese sauerkraut was positively associated with the prevalence of hypertension (P < 0.05).

  CONCLUSION  There is a certain correlation between the local specialty diet and prevalence of hypertension. Type of food consumption is one of the effective methods to manage hypertension.