Study: Can These 2 Probiotics Lower Blood Pressure?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly have of all adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, accounting for nearly 120 million people. In addition, the CDC notes that:

• Hypertension puts people are greater risk for heart disease and stroke, the leading causes of death in the U.S.
• High blood pressure was a primary or contributing cause to nearly 700,000 U.S. deaths in 2021.
• A systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mmHg means that person has high blood pressure.
• Less than 25% of adults with high blood pressure have it under control.
• High blood pressure costs the United States about $131 billion each year.

Given the prevalence of high blood pressure and its associated health risks, finding effective preventive measures is crucial.

A study titled “Probiotics Bifidobacterium lactis M8 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus M9 Prevent High Blood Pressure via Modulating the Gut Microbiota Composition and Host Metabolic Products” explored the potential antihypertensive effects of specific probiotic strains. The study, conducted on mice fed a high-fructose diet, found that Bifidobacterium lactis M8 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus M9 may help prevent hypertension.

This research focused on how these probiotics can influence blood pressure through alterations in gut microbiota and related metabolic pathways.

While the data is promising, though, more research is needed to confirm these effects in humans, particularly given the small sample size of the animal model used.

Still, it’s a potentially big finding and another reminder to keep blood pressure in check and make probiotics a main part of your wellness routine.

Study Findings

Researchers investigated how probiotics affect blood pressure in mice given high fructose. They found that two types of probiotics, Bifidobacterium lactis M8 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus M9, helped reduce blood pressure.

The probiotics — often found in cheese and yogurt — appeared to lower blood pressure by changing the makeup of the gut microbiome.

Key findings included:

• Blood Pressure Reduction: The probiotics significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 16.92% and 15.39% and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 18.56% and 20.62%, respectively.
• Microbiota Changes: Treatment with these probiotics resulted in increased levels of Lawsonia and Pyrolobus (bacteria associated with lower blood pressure) and decreased levels of Alistipes and Alloprevotella (bacteria associated with higher blood pressure). Combined, these effects were associated with lowered blood pressure.
• Metabolic Pathways: The probiotics influenced various metabolic pathways related to vascular smooth muscle contraction, serotonergic and cholinergic synapses, and lipid and vitamin metabolism, all contributing to blood pressure regulation.
• Mechanistic Insights: There was a notable correlation between reduced Alistipes and decreased steroid hormone biosynthesis, suggesting a mechanism by which gut microbiota can influence blood pressure through hormonal changes.

Drawbacks

While the study presented promising results, there were limitations, such as:

• Animal Model: The findings are based on a mouse model, which may not directly translate to humans.
• Short-Term Study: The study duration was relatively short, and long-term effects and safety of probiotic use were not assessed.
• Limited Scope: The study focused on specific strains and a high-fructose diet, which might not cover all potential dietary influences on blood pressure.

Despite the drawbacks, researchers are still excited about the findings.

“Accumulated evidence supports an antihypertensive effect of probiotics and probiotic fermented foods in both in vitro and in vivo experiments,” said computational biologist Jun Li, Ph.D., at the City University of Hong Kong, in a press release. Her team worked with that of microbiologist Zhihong Sun, Ph.D., at Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, on the study. “So we believed that the dietary intake of probiotic foods would well supplement traditional hypertension treatment.”

Considering there is other evidence showcasing that probiotics benefit blood pressure, this makes sense. For instance, a 2020 systemic review and meta-analysis “found a moderate and statistically significant reduction for either SBP or DBP with probiotics supplement compared with controls,” with researchers concluding that “probiotics is a potential for the dietary treatment of hypertension.”

Meanwhile, a 2023 study published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology determined that “probiotics can reduce hypertension symptoms through four mechanisms: regulating vascular oxidative stress, producing short-chain fatty acids, restoring endothelial cell function, and reducing inflammation.”

Other Ways to Lower Blood Pressure

In addition to probiotics, several other strategies can help manage and lower blood pressure:

• Dietary Changes: Reduce sodium intake, increase potassium-rich foods and other foods that lower blood pressure, and follow the DASH diet.
• Regular Exercise: Engage in physical activities like walking, jogging or swimming.
• Weight Management: Maintain a healthy weight through balanced diet and exercise.
• Stress Reduction: Practices such as meditation, yoga and deep breathing exercises reduce stress.
• Limiting Alcohol and Tobacco: Reducing alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking can significantly impact blood pressure levels.

These combined strategies, along with potential probiotic treatments, offer a comprehensive approach to managing high blood pressure.