Does kefir have a blood pressure-lowering effect?

Kefir, the fermented milk drink primarily made from milk, is said to be very healthy. This is well known. It owes this reputation to the probiotics it contains, which are supposed to have a positive effect on the gut if they can survive the gastrointestinal passage.

Kefir is produced by adding a kefir grain (kefir mushroom, Tibetan mushroom) to cow, goat, or sheep milk. The kefir grain consists of lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and acetic acid bacteria, which process and feed on lactose and other milk components. Depending on the fermentation duration and temperature, kefir can become slightly alcoholic (0.2 to 2 percent). In this way, the typically sour, slightly carbonated drink is created through fermentation within one to two days.

American and Brazilian researchers investigated whether kefir can also have a lowering effect on blood pressure. In a study, they examined the effect of kefir on their subjects, who were divided into three groups. The subjects were rats. One group received kefir for nine weeks, while the other two groups served as control groups - one with and one without high blood pressure.

The rats that received kefir showed lower blood pressure values and a healthier gut than the control groups. The permeability of the intestinal wall improved. This means that certain substances can pass through the intestinal wall, while other harmful or potentially dangerous substances are held back by the barrier. Additionally, kefir is said to have a positive effect on a specific enzyme in the brain that supports normal nervous system function.

The researchers conclude that kefir promotes the interaction between the nervous system and the gut to lower blood pressure. Currently, we do not have information on whether the blood pressure-lowering effect also applies to humans.

The refreshing drink can be very easily made at home as well. Why not ask around in your circle of friends if anyone can share a kefir grain? Since the grains feed on milk components, they grow and break down into several smaller grains once they reach a certain size. These can then be passed on. For storage, they can also be dried or frozen.

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By Sabine Croci. This article is medically reviewed. Last updated (04/2024).
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Does kefir have a blood pressure-lowering effect?

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