The impact of probiotics on blood pressure in hypertensive patients: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Abstract The present study was designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in Uzbekistan to investigate the effect of probiotics on blood pressure reduction in patients with primary hypertension. In this study, 120 patients with systolic blood pressure of 140-160 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure of 90-100 mmHg (mean age 54.3 ± 8.7 years) were randomly divided into two intervention groups (receiving probiotic supplements containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium at a daily dose of 10^10 CFU) and a control group (placebo) for 12 weeks. The results showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (14.2 ± 3.1 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (8.6 ± 2.4 mmHg) in the intervention group compared to the control group (2.3 ± 1.8 and 1.5 ± 1.2 mmHg, respectively) (p < 0.001). Also, 67% of patients in the probiotic group achieved a ≥10 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure, compared with 18% in the placebo group (OR = 9.4; 95% CI: 3.1-28.7). These findings suggest that probiotic supplements may be effective as an adjunct in the management of hypertension.