Probiotics and Blood Pressure: What the Research Actually Shows
Evidence-based insights into how gut bacteria influence cardiovascular health
Hypertension affects an estimated 1.28 billion adults worldwide, making it the single largest risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney failure. While medications, dietary modifications, and exercise remain the cornerstone of blood pressure management, a growing body of peer-reviewed research is pointing to an unexpected ally: the trillions of microorganisms living in your gut.
Over the past decade, multiple meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have established that probiotic consumption can produce modest but statistically significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.[1] The effect appears strongest when multiple probiotic species are consumed together, when baseline blood pressure is already elevated, and when supplementation continues for at least eight weeks.[1]
This article examines the clinical evidence connecting probiotics and prebiotics to blood pressure regulation—the mechanisms researchers have identified, the specific bacterial strains with the strongest evidence, and what this means for anyone looking to support cardiovascular health through science-backed supplementation.
Key Takeaways
- Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials show probiotic consumption can reduce systolic blood pressure by approximately 3.6 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 2.4 mmHg, with greater effects in people who already have elevated blood pressure.[1]
- Multi-strain probiotics outperform single-strain formulas for blood pressure reduction, according to pooled data from nine clinical trials published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension.[1]
- Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus returned blood pressure to normal levels in hypertensive mice over 16 weeks by reshaping gut microbial composition and metabolic pathways.[2]
- Lactobacillus plantarum has its own dedicated meta-analysis of seven RCTs confirming significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.[3]
- The effective daily dose for blood pressure benefits appears to be at or above 109 CFU (1 billion), with the effect most significant in capsule form over at least 8 weeks.[4]
- Probiotics influence blood pressure through multiple pathways including short-chain fatty acid production, ACE-inhibitory peptide release, vascular inflammation reduction, and improved endothelial function.[5]

The Gut-Blood Pressure Connection: What Science Is Discovering
The idea that intestinal bacteria could influence something as fundamental as blood pressure might seem improbable at first. But research over the past decade has revealed that the gut microbiome acts as a kind of endocrine organ—producing metabolites, signaling molecules, and bioactive compounds that enter the bloodstream and directly affect cardiovascular function.

Dysbiosis and Hypertension
Studies using metagenomic sequencing of stool samples from hypertensive patients have consistently found reduced microbial diversity and richness compared to people with normal blood pressure. Specifically, researchers observe diminished populations of beneficial bacteria—particularly Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species—alongside increased abundance of gram-negative, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-producing bacteria.[6] This imbalance, known as dysbiosis, appears to be both a consequence and a driver of elevated blood pressure.
When the gut barrier becomes compromised by dysbiosis, bacterial endotoxins like LPS translocate into the bloodstream. This triggers systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and arterial stiffness—all of which contribute to sustained blood pressure elevation.[6] A Bifidobacterium deficiency, in particular, has been closely linked with these pro-inflammatory patterns.
Short-Chain Fatty Acids: The Critical Link
Perhaps the most well-characterized pathway connecting gut bacteria to blood pressure involves short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)—primarily acetate, propionate, and butyrate. These compounds are produced when beneficial gut bacteria ferment dietary fiber and prebiotic compounds. SCFAs bind to specific G protein-coupled receptors (GPR41 and GPR43) expressed on blood vessels, kidneys, and sympathetic neurons, directly influencing vascular tone and blood pressure regulation.[8]
The landmark 2013 discovery by Pluznick and colleagues, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demonstrated that an olfactory receptor (Olfr78) in the kidney responds to SCFAs produced by gut bacteria and plays a direct role in renin secretion and blood pressure regulation.[9] This finding established, for the first time, a concrete molecular mechanism linking gut microbial metabolites to the renin-angiotensin system—one of the body's primary blood pressure control pathways.
A 2019 study published in Circulation further demonstrated that the SCFA propionate protects against hypertensive cardiovascular damage in animal models, reducing cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and vascular dysfunction through both immune-mediated and direct vascular mechanisms.[10] For those interested in optimizing SCFA production, our guide on how to increase butyrate levels naturally covers the dietary and supplemental strategies that support this pathway.
How Probiotics May Help Lower Blood Pressure: Key Mechanisms
The clinical evidence for probiotics and blood pressure is built on multiple converging mechanisms. A 2023 review in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology identified four primary pathways through which probiotics can reduce hypertension: regulating vascular oxidative stress, producing short-chain fatty acids, restoring endothelial cell function, and reducing inflammation.[5]

Boosting SCFA Production
Probiotic bacteria—especially Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species—are prolific SCFA producers. By fermenting dietary fiber and prebiotic substrates, they generate butyrate, propionate, and acetate that act on vascular smooth muscle, kidney function, and sympathetic nervous system activity. Hypertensive patients consistently show depleted SCFA-producing bacteria and lower circulating SCFA levels, suggesting that restoring these populations through probiotic supplementation may help normalize blood pressure signaling.[5]
Releasing ACE-Inhibitory Peptides
Certain probiotic species produce bioactive peptides during fermentation that inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)—the same target as widely prescribed ACE inhibitor medications. Species including Bifidobacterium longum and several Lactobacillus strains have been shown to release these peptides, which can reduce activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), a central pathway in blood pressure regulation.[5]
Improving Endothelial Function
The endothelium—the thin layer of cells lining blood vessels—plays a critical role in regulating vascular tone. When endothelial function is impaired, blood vessels lose their ability to dilate properly, contributing to elevated blood pressure. A landmark clinical trial published in Circulation Research demonstrated that Lactobacillus plantarum 299v supplementation significantly improved vascular endothelial function and reduced inflammatory biomarkers in men with stable coronary artery disease.[11]
Reducing Vascular Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Chronic low-grade inflammation contributes to endothelial dysfunction and sustained blood pressure elevation. Gut-derived LPS from gram-negative bacteria is a key driver of this inflammatory cascade. Probiotics help by strengthening the intestinal barrier (reducing LPS translocation), producing anti-inflammatory metabolites, and directly modulating immune cell activity. Animal studies have shown that Lactobacillus fermentum, for example, helps maintain gut balance and reduces vascular oxidative stress in hypertension models.[5]
How Multi-Strain Probiotics Work Through Multiple Pathways
A key finding across the clinical literature is that multi-strain probiotics outperform single-strain formulas for blood pressure support. The landmark 2014 meta-analysis in Hypertension found greater reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure with multiple species compared to single species.[1] This likely reflects the fact that different strains contribute through different mechanisms—one may excel at SCFA production while another generates ACE-inhibitory peptides or reduces inflammatory signaling. A diverse formula covers more of these complementary pathways simultaneously.
Probiotic Strains with Evidence for Blood Pressure Support
Not all probiotic strains have equivalent evidence for cardiovascular benefits. The following strains have been specifically studied for their effects on blood pressure in peer-reviewed research—and each one is included in the MicroBiome Restore formulation.
Bifidobacterium lactis
A 2023 study published in mSystems investigated the antihypertensive effects of Bifidobacterium lactis M8 in mice with high-fructose-induced hypertension. After 16 weeks of supplementation, B. lactis M8 reduced median systolic blood pressure by 16.92% and diastolic blood pressure by 18.56%. Metagenomic analysis revealed that this strain worked by increasing beneficial bacterial populations (Lawsonia and Pyrolobus) that correlated with lower blood pressure, while decreasing populations (Alistipes and Alloprevotella) associated with hypertension.[2] Learn more about the broader benefits of this strain in our Bifidobacterium lactis benefits guide.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
The same mSystems study found that Lactobacillus rhamnosus M9 produced comparable results—reducing systolic blood pressure by 15.39% and diastolic blood pressure by 20.62% over 16 weeks. Notably, while both strains achieved similar blood pressure reductions, they appeared to operate through distinct metabolic pathways: B. lactis M8 primarily prevented chronic inflammation by modulating Bacteroides and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, while L. rhamnosus M9 appeared to regulate tryptophan metabolism to reduce inflammation.[2]
Lactobacillus plantarum
L. plantarum is one of the most extensively studied probiotics for cardiovascular health. A dedicated meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials involving 653 participants found that L. plantarum supplementation significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, with the effect being particularly pronounced in hypertensive subjects.[3] In a separate clinical trial, L. plantarum 299v produced significant decreases in systolic blood pressure, leptin, and fibrinogen in healthy volunteers over just six weeks.[12]

| Strain | Study Type | Key Blood Pressure Finding |
|---|---|---|
| B. lactis | Animal (16 weeks)[2] | 16.9% SBP reduction, 18.6% DBP reduction |
| L. rhamnosus | Animal (16 weeks)[2] | 15.4% SBP reduction, 20.6% DBP reduction |
| L. plantarum | Meta-analysis of 7 RCTs[3] | Significant SBP and DBP reduction in humans |
| L. acidophilus | Included in multi-strain RCTs[1] | Contributes to multi-species BP-lowering effect |
| B. longum | Mechanistic studies[5] | Produces ACE-inhibitory peptides, reduces TMAO |
| Lactobacillus genus | Meta-analysis of 18 RCTs[4] | −2.74/−1.50 mmHg (SBP/DBP) overall |
Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacteria contribute to cardiovascular health through several mechanisms. B. longum subsp. longum CCFM752 has been shown to prevent hypertension and aortic lesions in rat models through potent antioxidant activity, while its culture supernatant prevented angiotensin II-induced increases in reactive oxygen species in vascular smooth muscle cells.[5] Both B. longum and B. breve have demonstrated the ability to significantly decrease plasma levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)—a gut-derived metabolite increasingly linked to elevated blood pressure and atherosclerosis—while restoring healthy microbial populations.[5]
Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus fermentum
Research by Hsu and colleagues demonstrated that L. casei can protect against hypertension through mechanisms involving reduced plasma acetate levels and decreased renal Olfr78 expression—directly engaging the gut-kidney signaling axis that Pluznick first identified.[2] Meanwhile, L. fermentum has been shown in animal studies to prevent dysbiosis and reduce vascular oxidative stress in hypertension induced by chronic nitric oxide blockade, helping maintain the gut microbial balance essential for healthy blood pressure regulation.[5]
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus acidophilus appears frequently in the multi-strain clinical trials that have demonstrated blood pressure benefits. While less studied in isolation for hypertension specifically, L. acidophilus contributes to the multi-species advantage consistently observed in the meta-analytic data—the finding that formulas containing multiple Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species produce greater blood pressure reductions than single strains alone.[1]
Why Strain Diversity Matters for Cardiovascular Support
The research consistently shows that multi-strain probiotics deliver superior blood pressure outcomes compared to single-strain supplements. MicroBiome Restore contains 26 probiotic strains at 15 billion CFU per serving—including every strain discussed above—along with 9 organic prebiotics like Jerusalem artichoke and acacia gum that serve as fermentation substrates for SCFA production. Explore the complete formulation guide to understand how each ingredient supports gut and whole-body health.
Making Probiotics Part of a Heart-Healthy Approach
Probiotics are not a replacement for established hypertension treatments. They are, however, an increasingly evidence-supported complement to the lifestyle modifications and medical interventions that form the foundation of cardiovascular health management. Here's what the research suggests about getting the most benefit.
What the Clinical Data Tells Us About Dosing
The 2014 meta-analysis published in Hypertension found that studies using daily probiotic doses below 1011 CFU (100 billion) did not produce statistically significant blood pressure reductions when analyzed as a subgroup, while higher doses did.[1] However, a subsequent meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials focusing specifically on Lactobacillus consumption found that the effective daily dose for blood pressure reduction was above 5 × 109 CFU (5 billion), and that the capsule form was more effective than food-based delivery.[4]
Duration also matters. Interventions lasting fewer than 8 weeks generally did not produce significant blood pressure reductions, while those at or beyond the 8-week mark showed consistent benefits.[1][4] This aligns with what we know about gut microbiome remodeling—meaningful compositional shifts take time to establish and influence downstream metabolic pathways. Timing your supplementation strategically can also improve outcomes; our guide to probiotic timing covers the research on optimal dosing schedules.
Important: Probiotics Complement—They Don't Replace—Medical Care
If you have been diagnosed with hypertension or are taking blood pressure medications, always consult your healthcare provider before adding any supplement to your regimen. The blood pressure reductions observed in clinical trials (typically 2–4 mmHg) are modest and should be viewed as one component of a comprehensive approach that includes dietary modifications, physical activity, stress management, and prescribed medications as appropriate.
The Prebiotic Connection
Probiotics work best when they have the fuel they need. Prebiotic fibers serve as fermentation substrates that enable probiotic bacteria to produce the SCFAs critical for blood pressure regulation. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating how dietary fibers influence blood pressure through gut microbial modulation found that prebiotic interventions enhanced SCFA production and promoted favorable shifts in microbial composition associated with lower blood pressure.[5]
This is why combining probiotics with prebiotics—a synbiotic approach—may maximize cardiovascular benefits. Prebiotic compounds like inulin from Jerusalem artichoke and acacia fiber provide the raw materials that enable Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species to thrive and produce the bioactive metabolites that influence vascular health.
Supporting Lifestyle Factors
The gut microbiome responds to your overall lifestyle, not just supplementation. Research shows that high sodium intake depletes Lactobacillus populations in the gut—the very bacteria that produce blood-pressure-lowering metabolites—while increasing pro-inflammatory Th17 immune cells linked to salt-sensitive hypertension.[6] Regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and stress management all contribute to a healthier gut microbial ecosystem that supports cardiovascular function.

For women navigating the hormonal transition of menopause—a period when cardiovascular risk increases significantly—maintaining microbial diversity becomes especially important. Our article on the best probiotic strains for women over 40 covers the cardiovascular, hormonal, and metabolic considerations specific to this life stage.
Support Your Gut and Cardiovascular Health with Science-Backed Strains
MicroBiome Restore delivers 26 clinically studied probiotic strains—including B. lactis, L. rhamnosus, L. plantarum, B. longum, and more—alongside organic prebiotics that fuel SCFA production. No fillers. No unnecessary additives. Just research-backed ingredients designed to support your microbiome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are probiotics good for high blood pressure?
Multiple meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials indicate that probiotics can produce modest but statistically significant reductions in blood pressure—typically around 2–4 mmHg for systolic and 1–2 mmHg for diastolic pressure. The effect is most pronounced in people with elevated baseline blood pressure, when multiple probiotic species are used together, and when supplementation continues for at least 8 weeks. Probiotics are not a substitute for medical treatment but may serve as a useful complementary strategy alongside established lifestyle interventions.
Which probiotic strains are best for blood pressure?
The strains with the strongest research support include Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (both shown to normalize blood pressure in hypertensive animal models), Lactobacillus plantarum (supported by its own dedicated meta-analysis of seven human RCTs), and Bifidobacterium longum (which produces ACE-inhibitory peptides and reduces TMAO levels). Multi-strain formulas consistently outperform single-strain supplements in clinical trials, suggesting that strain diversity is itself an important factor.
Can gut bacteria cause high blood pressure?
Research increasingly supports a bidirectional relationship between gut bacteria and blood pressure. Hypertensive patients consistently show gut dysbiosis—reduced microbial diversity, depleted Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus populations, and increased pro-inflammatory bacteria. This dysbiosis can contribute to hypertension through increased LPS-driven inflammation, reduced SCFA production, impaired endothelial function, and dysregulated renin-angiotensin signaling. Restoring gut microbial balance through probiotics and dietary fiber may help interrupt these pathological cycles.
How long do probiotics take to affect blood pressure?
Based on the available meta-analyses, interventions lasting fewer than 8 weeks generally do not produce significant blood pressure reductions. Most studies showing meaningful effects used supplementation periods of 8 weeks or longer. This timeline is consistent with the time required for meaningful gut microbiome remodeling and the downstream metabolic effects that influence vascular function. Consistency of daily supplementation appears more important than taking higher doses intermittently.
Why do some cardiologists express caution about probiotics?
Cardiologists appropriately emphasize that probiotics should not replace proven hypertension treatments, and that the blood pressure reductions observed in studies are modest compared to prescription medications. There is also variability in study quality, differences in strain specificity, and limited long-term data. These are valid clinical considerations. However, the growing body of evidence—including multiple well-designed meta-analyses—suggests that probiotics can play a supportive role within a comprehensive cardiovascular health strategy, particularly for individuals seeking additional evidence-based lifestyle interventions alongside their primary treatment plan.
Does the number of probiotic strains matter for blood pressure?
Yes—this is one of the more consistent findings in the literature. The meta-analysis by Khalesi and colleagues in Hypertension found a greater reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure with multiple species compared to single species probiotics. This is likely because different strains contribute through different mechanisms: some produce SCFAs, others release ACE-inhibitory peptides, and still others reduce vascular inflammation or improve endothelial function. A diverse probiotic formula engages more of these complementary pathways simultaneously.
Conclusion
The connection between gut health and blood pressure has moved from hypothesis to well-documented science. Randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and mechanistic studies have collectively established that specific probiotic strains—particularly within the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera—can influence blood pressure through SCFA production, ACE inhibition, vascular inflammation reduction, and endothelial function improvement.
The clinical magnitude of these effects is modest. A 2–4 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure from probiotic supplementation is not going to replace antihypertensive medication for someone with stage 2 hypertension. But on a population level, even small sustained reductions in blood pressure translate to meaningful reductions in cardiovascular events. And for individuals looking to support their cardiovascular health through every evidence-based avenue available, the science increasingly supports making probiotics part of that strategy.
At BioPhysics Essentials, we formulated MicroBiome Restore with 26 probiotic strains—including every strain discussed in this article—alongside organic prebiotic substrates that fuel the SCFA production central to cardiovascular signaling. No titanium dioxide. No microcrystalline cellulose. No magnesium stearate. Just clinically relevant strains supported by peer-reviewed research, delivered in a format designed to reach and support your gut microbiome.
Your gut health and your heart health are connected. The science confirms it. The choice to act on that knowledge is yours.
References
- Khalesi, S., Sun, J., Buys, N., & Jayasinghe, R. (2014). Effect of probiotics on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. Hypertension, 64(4), 897–903. https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.114.03469
- Zhang, Y., Zheng, T., Ma, D., Shi, P., Zhang, H., Li, J., & Sun, Z. (2023). Probiotics Bifidobacterium lactis M8 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus M9 prevent high blood pressure via modulating the gut microbiota composition and host metabolic products. mSystems, 8(5), e00331-23. https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00331-23
- Sharafedtinov, K. K., Plotnikova, O. A., Alexeeva, R. I., Sentsova, T. B., Songisepp, E., Stsepetova, J., Smidt, I., & Mikelsaar, M. (2013). Hypocaloric diet supplemented with probiotic cheese improves body mass index and blood pressure indices of obese hypertensive patients—a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study. Nutrition Journal, 12, 138; Amoozegar, H., Davoodabadi, A., & Alikhani, M. Y. (2020). Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum containing probiotics on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmacological Research, 153, 104663. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104663
- Liu, J., Zhang, D., Guo, Y., & Cai, H. (2020). The effect of Lactobacillus consumption on human blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 54, 102547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102547
- Chen, Z., Wu, S., Zeng, Y., Chen, Z., Li, T., & Liang, Z. (2023). Probiotics: functional food ingredients with the potential to reduce hypertension. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 13, 1220877. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1220877
- Yang, Z., Wang, Q., Liu, Y., Wang, L., Ge, Z., Li, Z., Feng, S., & Wu, C. (2023). Gut microbiota and hypertension: association, mechanisms and treatment. Clinical and Experimental Hypertension, 45(1), 2195135. https://doi.org/10.1080/10641963.2023.2195135
- Jama, H. A., Rhys-Jones, D., Nakai, M., Yao, C. K., Climie, R. E., Sata, Y., ... & Marques, F. Z. (2023). Prospects for leveraging the microbiota as medicine for hypertension. Hypertension, 81(6), 1112–1122. https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.124.21721
- Kimura, I., Inoue, D., Maeda, T., Hara, T., Ichimura, A., Miyauchi, S., Kobayashi, M., Hirasawa, A., & Tsujimoto, G. (2011). Short-chain fatty acids and ketones directly regulate sympathetic nervous system via G protein-coupled receptor 41 (GPR41). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(19), 8030–8035. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1016088108
- Pluznick, J. L., Protzko, R. J., Gevorgyan, H., Peterlin, Z., Sipos, A., Han, J., ... & Bhatt, D. L. (2013). Olfactory receptor responding to gut microbiota-derived signals plays a role in renin secretion and blood pressure regulation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(11), 4410–4415. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1215927110
- Bartolomaeus, H., Balogh, A., Yakoub, M., Homann, S., Markó, L., Höges, S., ... & Wilck, N. (2019). Short-chain fatty acid propionate protects from hypertensive cardiovascular damage. Circulation, 139(11), 1407–1421. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.036652
- Malik, M., Suboc, T. M., Tyber, S., Rizvi, N., Mahber, E., Hsi, L., ... & Holbrook, M. (2018). Lactobacillus plantarum 299v supplementation improves vascular endothelial function and reduces inflammatory biomarkers in men with stable coronary artery disease. Circulation Research, 123(9), 1091–1102. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.313565
- Naruszewicz, M., Johansson, M. L., Zapolska-Downar, D., & Bukowska, H. (2002). Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v on cardiovascular disease risk factors in smokers. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 76(6), 1249–1255. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/76.6.1249


Share and get 15% off!
Simply share this product on one of the following social networks and you will unlock 15% off!