A daily helping of bio-live yogurt or sauerkraut could lower high blood pressure and cut the risk of a stroke or heart attack - even if you have a salty diet

Eating yogurt high in ‘good bacteria’ could help lower high blood pressure, according to new research.

In a scientific first, researchers have discovered diets high in salt are killing off beneficial bacteria in our guts.

Without these ‘friendly’ microbes, our bodies start producing cells that increase inflammation – making our blood vessels narrower, which puts people at risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack. 

But the germs in the gut that are killed off by high-salt diets could be replaced by a dose of ‘good bacteria’ in a pro-biotic yogurt drink, scientists said.

Experiments on humans and mice fed the unhealthy diet found the treatment reduced inflammation-triggering cells that cause high blood pressure.

Yet, experts warn further studies are required before probiotics can reliably be linked to reduced blood pressure. 

Professor David Relman from Stanford University in California, said: ‘Should hypertension be added to the list of conditions promoted by the gut microbiota? Future studies will no doubt tell.'

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