The craze over yogurt has been building steadily over the last several years as studies have repeatedly shown a broad spectrum of health benefits associated with the product. Researchers have found yogurt helps improve gut health, diabetes symptoms and, now, your heart.
In July, the American Heart Association's journal, Hypertension, published research conducted by the Griffith Health Institute in Australia that reported probiotic consumption lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressures in patients in nine different studies. They found patients with higher initial blood pressures registered more significant improvements than patients with lower blood pressures. Researchers suggested consumption of multiple forms of probiotics such as those contained in yogurt and some low-fat cheeses including Gouda, Parmesan, Swiss and Cheddar could play a role in combating the disease that is responsible for around a 1,000 deaths per day in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This is great news for an industry that has already seen boosted sales. According to a Wall Street Journal article published in March of this year, yogurt sales reached more than $5 billion in 2013, and companies like Chobani, which has been marketing Greek yogurt flavors since 2007, expect to see that number rise again in 2014.
If dairy products like yogurt and cheese can secure their place in helping the nearly 67 million Americans that battle high blood pressure, the industry can be sure to continue enjoying strong sales and consumer approval.
