A report looking at preliminary research on the effects of calcium intake in pregnant women has shown a potential link between maternal calcium levels and a reduced incidence of hypertension and high blood pressure in children. Calcium supplementation during pregnancy has previously been shown to reduce the risk of hypertension in the mother. Recent studies have suggested that blood pressure levels in childhood and early adulthood can be influenced by factors during fetal life, including dietary calcium intake from supplements and food sources. Reviewing blood pressure levels in children whose mothers had regular calcium intake during pregnancy found a reduction in systolic blood pressure and a reduced incidence of hypertension. Further research is required to confirm these results, which could have important public health implications and lower the risk of hypertension in generations to follow.

Source: BMC Pediatrics