Probiotics Shown to Significantly Lower Blood Pressure

A research team delved into the relationship between high-fructose intake and hypertension, discovering that high levels of fructose intake are a significant risk factor for elevated blood pressure. This is a concerning revelation, considering the prevalence of high-fructose foods in modern diets. Furthermore, the team explored the impact of two specific probiotic strains, Bifidobacterium lactis M8 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus M9, in reducing blood pressure. These probiotics, derived from human breast milk, were found to be highly effective in mitigating hypertension in a high-fructose-induced elevated blood pressure mouse model.

Over a 16-week intervention, Bifidobacterium lactis M8 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus M9 demonstrated a substantial reduction in blood pressure, with M8 lowering systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 16.92% and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 18.56%, and M9 reducing SBP by 15.39% and DBP by 20.62%.

The study didn't stop at observing the outcomes; it delved deep into the gut microbiome and serum metabolome to decipher the mechanisms behind probiotics' antihypertensive effects. It was revealed that specific changes in gut microbiota played a pivotal role in blood pressure regulation. Notably, increased levels of Lawsonia and Pyrolobus were linked to lower blood pressure, while decreased levels of Alistipes and Alloprevotella correlated with BP reduction.

Functionally, the study uncovered reduced pathways involved in "base excision repair" (BER) and "D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism" as contributing factors to blood pressure reduction.

Ref: Probiotics Bifidobacterium lactis M8 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus M9 prevent high blood pressure via modulating the gut microbiota composition and host metabolic products Yong Zhang et al, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00331-23