The first major study of its kind involving hundreds of thousands of people found that the risk of high blood pressure was reduced by about one third. However, this effect was most pronounced in women because men tend to consume far less yogurt.

Experts examined 240,000 women aged 25 to 55 years and 51,000 men aged 40 to 75 years. The findings showed that people who regularly consumed yogurt 5 times per week had a 31% lower risk of high blood pressure. The researchers can not yet explain exactly how the yogurt reduces the pressure. Presumably, the bacteria in yogurt may play a role in lowering cholesterol, which clogs the blood vessels and leads to an increase in blood pressure. It is also noted that yogurt can control blood sugar levels.

The researchers also found that yogurt can help prevent osteoporosis and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.