Bacteria Beats Blood Pressure

Live microorganisms that naturally occur in the gut, probiotics are often referred to as “good bacteria,” as their presence is linked by a number of previous studies, most notably, to beneficial effects on gastrointestinal and immune health. Jing Sun, from Griffith University (Australia), and colleagues analyzed data resulting from 9 clinical studies involving a total of 543 adults with normal and elevated blood pressure.  Data analysis revealed that probiotic consumption lowered systolic blood pressure by an average 3.56 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure by an average 2.38 mm Hg, as compared to adults who didn’t consume probiotics.  The effects were evident after 8 weeks of probiotic consumption, with the researchers noting that probiotics containing h a daily bacteria volume of 109-10 12 colony-forming units (CFU) were most effective in addressing blood pressure. The study authors write that: “The present meta-analysis suggests that consuming probiotics may improve [blood pressure] by a modest degree, with a potentially greater effect when baseline [blood pressure] is elevated.”