| The effect of probiotics fermented milk (PFM) supplementation on blood pressure
(BP) is conflicting. This review aimed to summarize available evidence from human
trials evaluating the effects of PFM supplementation on BP in adults. Online
databases, including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Cochran were searched for
relevant studies published up to December 2019, using relevant keywords. All
randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the PFM supplementation on BP
were included. The quality of this study was evaluated using the Cochrane
Collaboration Risk of Bias Assessment tool. Meta-analysis was done using the
random-effects model. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed in
selected studies. Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were conducted to
examine potential heterogeneity. Meta-analysis of 24 (31 arms) randomized placebo-
controlled trials involving 2102 participants showed that PFM supplementation
did not change in systolic BP (SBP) (WMD: −2.17 mmHg; 95% CI: −4.5, 0.16,
P = .068) as well in diastolic BP (DBP) (WMD: −1.04, 95% CI: −2.51 to 0.44, P = .167)
subgroup analyses based on baseline SBP and DBP, duration of intervention,
baseline BMI, mean age, and health status suggested a large significant decreasing
effect on systolic and diastolic BP in prehypertensive (pre-HTN) and hypertensive
(HTN) subset (P < .05). Our study concludes that PFM supplementation may have
beneficial effects on systolic and diastolic BP in pre-HTN and HTN subjects. Future
investigations on the clinical efficacy and safety of PFM supplementation are
warranted to elucidate these beneficial effects. |