High blood pressure therapies Drinking kefir frequently can lower blood pressure

New study: Drinking kefir can lower blood pressure

Although hypertension patients often receive medicines quickly, hypertension can often be reduced without medication. In addition to regular exercise here is especially a healthy, varied diet with low fat, sugar and salt to call. Certain foods have a particularly positive influence. Researchers from the US and Brazil have now found that kefir can lower blood pressure.

Lower blood pressure naturally

Millions of people suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension). Since overweight and obesity are not considered exercise, unhealthy, too-salty, tobacco, and increased alcohol and stress are risk factors, sufferers are usually advised to minimize these risks to lower blood pressure. Certain foods have a particularly positive influence on blood pressure. Amongst others, garlic, beetroot juices and hawthorn are recommended. According to scientific research, hot chillies and natural yoghurt can also reduce high blood pressure. And in a new study has now shown that kefir can lower blood pressure.

A lot of exercise and a healthy diet can help against hypertension. Certain foods are especially recommended here. Researchers have now found that kefir can lower blood pressure. (Image: BillionPhotos.com/fotolia.com)

Communication between the intestine and the brain is stimulated

Researchers from Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine in Alabama, USA, have teamed up with Brazilian colleagues to find out that the fermented milk drink kefir can stimulate the communication between the gut and the brain and thus have a positive effect on blood pressure.

Mirian Silva-Cutini, a graduate student from the University of Vila Velha (Brazil) and lead author of the study, presented the team's findings at the annual American Physiological Society (APS) "Experimental Biology 2018" meeting in San Diego, California..

Furthermore, the study results were published in the journal "The FASEB Journal".

To maintain the balance of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system

According to a statement from Auburn University, kefir is known to maintain the balance of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system.

Previous research has shown that an imbalance in the bacterial colony of the intestine (microbiota or intestinal flora) in some people can lead to high blood pressure.

In addition, it has been found that probiotics - living bacterial supplements that are beneficial to the digestive system - lower blood pressure.

However, the exact mechanisms for this have not been known so far.

Treatment with kefir

The research team has now studied three groups of rats to find out how kefir reduces high blood pressure.

The animals of one group had hypertension and were treated with kefir. One group had hypertension and was not treated and the third had normal blood pressure and was not treated.

After nine weeks of kefir supplementation, the treated rats had lower levels of endotoxins (bacterial toxins), lower blood pressure, and improved intestinal permeability compared to the untreated group.

Although a healthy intestine allows the passage of certain substances, it generally acts as a barrier against harmful bacteria and other potentially dangerous substances.

Cooperation of nervous and digestive system

In addition, kefir treatment promoted the natural balance of various bacteria in the gut and an enzyme in the brain that is essential for the normal functioning of the nervous system.

According to the researchers, this indicates that the nervous system and digestive system work together to reduce high blood pressure. (Ad)