Essential Pregnancy Minerals Linked to Lower Midlife Blood Pressure in Women

A recent study presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention Scientific Sessions 2025 reveals a potential link between essential mineral levels during pregnancy and reduced risk of hypertension in women's later years. The research, part of Project Viva, involved nearly 500 women from eastern Massachusetts and found that higher blood levels of copper and manganese during pregnancy were associated with 25% and 20% lower risk of high blood pressure, respectively, in midlife. Additionally, an increase in vitamin B12 levels led to significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. These findings suggest that optimizing levels of essential minerals and vitamins such as copper, manganese, and B12 during pregnancy could offer protective cardiovascular benefits later in life. However, the study stresses that further research is needed to determine the optimal dietary intake of these nutrients, as the study did not assess sources of mineral exposure. The research highlights the importance of prenatal nutrition in long-term cardiovascular health, although it also notes its limitations, such as its observational nature and demographic constraints.