Probiotics may Lower the Risk of Hypertension

Probiotics, otherwise known as "healthy" gut bacteria that's commonly found in yogurt and other dietary supplements, could help to lower the risk of high blood pressure.

Researchers at the Griffith Health Institute and School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland Australia, found that study participants who received probiotic supplements were less likely than counterparts to encounter hypertension or related health issues.

"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," said lead researcher Jing Sun, Ph.D., a senior lecturer at the school, in a news release. "This includes probiotics in yogurt, fermented and sour milk and cheese, and probiotic supplements."

For the study, researchers analyzed data from nine previous studies that involved 543 adults with normal and elevated blood pressure levels. Researchers found that regular "healthy bacteria" consumption helped lower systolic blood pressure by about 3.6 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure by about 2.4 percent, compared to those who did not take probiotic products.

Furthermore, findings revealed that participants needed to consume probiotics for over eight weeks to reap the blood pressure-lowering benefits. Supplements with multiple bacteria also lowered blood pressure more than those with single strains.

"We believe probiotics might help lower blood pressure by having other positive effects on health, including improving total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol; reducing blood glucose and insulin resistance; and by helping to regulate the hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance," Sun concluded.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the American Heart Association journal Hypertension.