Jul 21, 2014 06:32 PM EDT By J Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

Yogurt could help lower blood pressure, according to a recent study HealthDay reported.

Researchers found that people using probiotics, such as those found in certain yogurts or supplements, tend to have lower blood pressure than those who don't use them. According to Time, researchers said the effects seemed to be stronger among people higher blood pressure to begin with, "and among those consuming multiple probiotic strains and in higher doses."

"The small collection of studies we looked at suggest regular consumption of probiotics can be part of a healthy lifestyle to help reduce high blood pressure, as well as maintain healthy blood pressure levels," Jing Sun, lead author of the study, said in a statement. "This includes probiotics in yogurt, fermented and sour milk and cheese, and probiotic supplements."

For the study, researchers looked at data from nine studies that examined links between probiotics and blood pressure. The studies involved more than 500 adults with either normal or elevated blood pressure.

Although the study found an association between increased probiotic intake and lower blood pressure readings, it could not prove cause and effect. However, their findings are enough to raise the "interesting possibility" of incorporating a probiotic regimen into blood pressure management.

Researchers agreed that more research is needed.

Dr. Bruce Rutkin, a cardiologist at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., told Healthday that "prior studies have demonstrated that probiotics and their products may favorably impact blood pressure through a variety of mechanisms."

However, Rutkin said that the reduction in blood pressure tied to probiotic products was modest. However, "in conjunction with a heart-healthy lifestyle, they may play a role in modifying cardiovascular risk."

The findings were recently published in the journal Hypertension.

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