Yogurt and Blood Pressure

 

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but a yogurt a day may be the key to reducing your blood pressure. Researchers from the United States and Australia found that adding a serving of yogurt to a hypertension patient’s daily diet lowers their blood pressure by an average of 7 points compared with those who rarely or never ate yogurt. The study of more than 900 adults measured each person’s yogurt eating habits through a food frequency questionnaire, so it is not as solid as a clinical study. But the results were consistent and significant.

Yogurt is a food that is high in calcium, magnesium and potassium, all nutrients which are known to help regulate blood pressure. The live bacteria in an active yogurt culture also produce a protein that has blood pressure lowering effects.

If you want to give this a try, keep in mind that not all yogurt is created equal. Not all contain live cultures and many are loaded with added sugar, artificial sweeteners and additives. So read the label before you buy it.