Yogurt Could Lower Your Blood Pressure: New Study

We all have heard that eating probiotics – “good” bacteria – keeps us healthy by aiding digestion, intestinal function and protecting against harmful bacteria. But the new research published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension suggests that eating probiotics could help lower blood pressure as well.

Probiotics, the naturally present live microorganisms in our gut, are also present in live-cultured yogurt, some fermented vegetables and aged cheeses.

Based on the past research that probiotics are good for our health, many supplement manufacturers have developed products containing different and multiple strains of probiotics.

In a new research at Griffith Health Institute and School of Medicine at Griffith University in Australia, Jing Sun, PhD, and her team analyzed nine high-quality studies that assessed the probiotic consumption of 543 adults who had either normal or high blood pressure. Based on his analysis, Sun suggests that consuming probiotics from food sources and dietary supplements may improve blood pressure. Sun and his team found that:

1. Probiotic consumption lowered systolic blood pressure (the top number, which is also the higher of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats — when the heart muscle contracts) by an average 3.56 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number, which is also the lower of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats — when the heart muscle is resting between beats and refilling with blood) by an average 2.38 mm Hg, compared to adults who did not consume probiotics.
2. The positive effects from probiotics on diastolic blood pressure were greatest in people whose blood pressure was equal to or greater than 130/85, which is considered elevated.
3. Consuming probiotics for less than eight weeks didn’t lower systolic or diastolic blood pressure.
4. Probiotic consumption with a daily bacteria volume of 10⁹-10 ¹² colony-forming units (CFU) may improve blood pressure. Consumption with less than 10⁹ CFU didn’t lower blood pressure. CFU is the amount of bacteria or the dose of probiotics in a product.
5. Probiotics with multiple bacteria lowered blood pressure more than those with a single bacterium.

 

This chart reflects blood pressure categories defined by the American Heart Association.

Blood Pressure Category	Systolic mm Hg (upper #)		Diastolic mm Hg (lower #)
Normal	less than 120	and	less than 80
Prehypertension	120 – 139	or	80 – 89
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 1	140 – 159	or	90 – 99
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 2	160 or higher	or	100 or higher
Hypertensive Crisis (Emergency care needed)	Higher than 180	or	Higher than 110

Commenting on the team’s findings, Sun says:

“The small collection of studies we looked at suggest regular consumption of probiotics can be part of a healthy lifestyle to help reduce high blood pressure, as well as maintain healthy blood pressure levels.”

At DrugNatural we carry a number of probiotic singles and probiotic combination products. Feel free to call us at 408-626-7640.

Tags: Probiotics, blood pressure, systolic, diastolic, good bacteria, yogurt, Griffith Health Institute and School of Medicine, Griffith University, Jing Sun,