New research presented at the 2025 American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention Scientific Sessions suggests that higher levels of vitamin B12, copper, and manganese during pregnancy are associated with lower midlife blood pressure and a reduced risk of hypertension.
The findings come from Project Viva, a long-term study that tracked 493 women and their children from eastern Massachusetts over a two-decade period.
Blood samples collected during pregnancy revealed that higher levels of these essential minerals were linked to favorable cardiovascular outcomes decades later, emphasizing the importance of monitoring maternal health carefully using tools like the best blood pressure monitors during pregnancy.
“People are constantly exposed to heavy metals and trace elements, and much research has shown that exposure to those metals and elements may have an impact on cardiovascular health, especially hypertension,” explained Mingyu Zhang, PhD, MHS, lead author and epidemiologist at Harvard Medical School.
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Copper, Manganese, and Vitamin B12: Protective Factors Against Hypertension
The analysis demonstrated that a doubling of copper levels during pregnancy corresponded to a 25% lower risk of high blood pressure in midlife.
Similarly, doubling manganese levels was associated with a 20% lower risk of developing hypertension later in life.
Higher vitamin B12 levels were linked to an average reduction of 3.64 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure and 2.52 mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure nearly two decades after pregnancy.
Importantly, most participants had vitamin B12 levels within the normal range, but even modest elevations showed measurable cardiovascular benefits.
“Optimizing these essential metals, minerals, and vitamins, particularly copper, manganese, and vitamin B12, during pregnancy may offer protective benefits against hypertension in midlife,” Zhang noted in the official release.
Nonessential Metals Show No Significant Impact
In contrast to essential minerals, nonessential metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and mercury did not significantly influence midlife blood pressure outcomes in the Project Viva cohort.
This distinction highlights the potential importance of targeted nutritional strategies during pregnancy, particularly for conditions like preeclampsia, a dangerous blood pressure complication during pregnancy.
Caution on Interpretation and Need for Further Research
Despite the promising results, Zhang cautioned that:
“Circulating levels of these metals and minerals in blood were measured; however, the sources of exposure, such as food or dietary supplements, were not quantified, so these findings should not be interpreted as recommendations.”
The study calls for more clinical trials to establish optimal dietary guidelines for copper, manganese, and vitamin B12 intake during pregnancy to better protect future heart health.
Given that high blood pressure during pregnancy is already a recognized risk factor for maternal and fetal complications, early nutritional and lifestyle interventions could have powerful preventive effects across generations.
Robin Backlund is a dedicated journalist and a medical student who has written several articles and essays exposing the falseness and hollowness of online resources in the medical science niche.