In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition (2005; 24(4): 257-65) 80 subjects with hypertension were given powdered milk tablets fermented with Lactobacillus helveticus, or placebo for a period of four weeks. Systolic blood pressure significantly decreased an average of 11.2 mm Hg in those with mild hypertension. No significant change was in systolic pressure was experienced in those with high-normal blood pressure. Diastolic blood pressure dropped an average of 5.0 mm Hg among those with high-normal blood pressure. In the group with mild hypertension, the diastolic blood pressure dropped an average of 6.5 mm Hg. These are small changes, but it is interesting the bowel flora had an effect on blood pressure.