A yogurt is a healthy option for snacks, particularly for hypertensive individuals. Findings of a new study suggest that this fermented food product may lower risk for cardiovascular disease in men and women with high blood pressure.
Higher Yogurt Intake And Reduced Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease
In a new study published in the American Journal of Hypertension, researchers found evidence that links higher yogurt intake with reduced risk for cardiovascular disease in hypertensive adults.The study involved 55,000 women between 30 and 55 years old, and 18,000 men between 40 and 75 years old with high blood pressure.
Justin Buendia, from Boston University School of Medicine in Massachusetts, and colleagues found that higher intake of yogurt was linked to a 30 percent reduced risk of myocardial infarction, or heart attack, in women, and 19 percent reduced risk in men.
Men and women who consumed more than two servings of yogurt a week also had 20 percent lower chances of suffering from a major coronary heart disease or stroke. The researchers said that higher yogurt intake in combination with a heart-healthy diet is associated with greater reduction in cardiovascular disease risk in both men and women with high blood pressure.
"Hypertensive men and women who consumed ≥2 servings/week of yogurt, especially in the context of a healthy diet, were at lower risk for developing CVD," Buendia and colleagues wrote in their study.
Yogurt For Hypertensive Individuals
Earlier studies have already shown a positive association between dairy products and cardiovascular health. However, some researchers think that yogurt has its own independent benefits.
A 2014 study showed that probiotics like those present in yogurt can help lower blood pressure. The findings of the new study back up the idea of the health benefits of consuming the fermented food product, especially for individuals with hypertension, a condition that may lead to stroke and formation of blood clots in the arteries.
"Here, we had a very large cohort of hypertensive men and women, who were followed for up to 30 years," Buendia said. "Our results provide important new evidence that yogurt may benefit heart health alone or as a consistent part of a diet rich in fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."
Other Benefits Of Consuming Yogurt
Studies have also shown that consuming yogurt is tied to lower body weight as well as improved cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The probiotics content of yogurt is also beneficial for digestive health.
