Effect of probiotic fermented milk on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Abstract

Previous studies have suggested that probiotic fermented milk may possess blood pressure (BP)-lowering properties. In the present study, we aimed to systematically examine the effect of probiotic fermented milk on BP by conducting a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. PubMed, Cochrane library and the ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched up to March 2012 to identify eligible studies. The reference lists of the obtained articles were also reviewed. Either a fixed-effects or a random-effects model was used to calculate the combined treatment effect. Meta-analysis of fourteen randomised placebo-controlled trials involving 702 participants showed that probiotic fermented milk, compared with placebo, produced a significant reduction of 3·10 mmHg (95 % CI 24·64, 2 1·56) in systolic BP and 1·09 mmHg (95 % CI 22·11, 2 0·06) in diastolic BP. Subgroup analyses suggested a slightly greater effect on systolic BP in hypertensive participants than in normotensive ones (23·98 v. 2 2·09 mmHg). Analysis of trials conducted in Japan showed a greater reduction than those conducted in European countries for both systolic BP (26·12 v. 2 2·08 mmHg) and diastolic BP (23·45 v. 20·52 mmHg). Some evidence of publication bias was present, but sensitivity analysis excluding small trials that reported extreme results only affected the pooled effect size minimally. In summary, the present meta-analysis suggested that probiotic fermented milk has BP-lowering effects in pre-hypertensive and hypertensive subjects.

The Gastrointestinal Tract: an Initial Organ of Metabolic Hypertension?

“…Subgroup analysis suggested that probiotic consumption may regulate BP by a modest degree [115]. Probiotic fermented milk, a product obtained from the fermentation of milk by the action of suitable microorganisms, may exert protective effects against type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke [116]. Probiotic yogurt consumption also has an effect on lipid metabolism, significantly reducing total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels [117].…”

The influence of the human microbiome and probiotics on cardiovascular health

“…A meta-analysis of 14 randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials with 702 participants show that probiotic fermented milk significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in pre-hypertensive and hypertensive patients. 110 Certain probiotic strains produce peptides with ACE-inhibitory activity through the proteolysis and fermentation of milk proteins. 111,112 When growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains was enhanced using fermentation substrates, or prebiotics (inulin, pectin, fructooligosaccharides, and mannitol), proteolytic activity and ACE inhibition was proportionally increased.…”

Effect of Probiotics on Blood Pressure

“…20,21 A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 randomized, controlled trials showed that consumption of fermented milk containing inhibitory peptides (with or without probiotics) can significantly reduce SBP and DBP. 22 However, the effects of probiotics (live bacteria) and their species or dose were not systematically investigated. Some previous studies on probiotics have reported that consumption of probiotic yogurt for 8 weeks can significantly improve BP, 23,24 whereas another study showed no benefit.…”