Beverages with Whey Protein Can Lower Blood Pressure

(WomensHealth.gov)

A study at Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman has found, beverages supplemented by whey-based protein can significantly reduce elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure affects almost one in three U.S. adults, and is a leading risk factor for stroke and heart disease.

Nutritional biochemist Susan Fluegel led the research, conducted for her doctorate in nutritional biochemistry. The results found that daily doses of commonly available whey brought a more than six-point reduction in the average blood pressure of men and women with elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressures. While the study was confined to 71 student subjects between the ages of 18 and 26, Fluegel says older people with blood pressure issues would likely get similar results.

The study first found no consistent improvement in blood pressure levels among subjects taking a whey-supplemented drink, which corresponds to results of a similar study in 2007. Fluegel then broke out her subjects into different groups and found significant improvements in those with different types of elevated blood pressure. Improvements began in the first week of the study and lasted through its six-week course. Other studies have found that blood-pressure reductions like those seen by Fluegel can reduce cardiovascular disease and bring a 35 to 40 percent reduction in fatal strokes.

The supplements, delivered in fruit-flavored drinks developed at the WSU Creamery, did not lower the blood pressure of subjects with normal blood pressure, a favorable result since low blood pressure can also be a problem.

Several supplement makers contributed their products to the study, which was funded in part by the Washington Dairy Products Commission. None of the contributors had a role in analyzing the data or writing the report. The findings were published in the International Dairy Journal (paid subscription required).

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