Study facts

Under the direction of Susan Fluegel, the researchers at WSU recruited 71 young men and women with an average age of 20 and an average body mass index of 24.6 kg/m2 and randomly assigned them to receive either a whey protein drink containing 28 grams of whey protein concentrate 80 (WPC80) or a drink containing 28 grams of hydrolyzed WPC80.

After 6 weeks, no overall differences were found by the researchers in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), or mean arterial pressure (MAP) between the groups. When Fluegel and her co-researchers looked at sub-groups, they noted material reductions of 8.0, 8.6, and 6.4 mm Hg for SBP, DBP, and MAP, respectively, in young adults with elevated DBP and SBP. The apparent improvement was observed following consumption of either beverage. Conversely, individuals with normal blood pressure levels at the commencement of the study exhibited no changes in their blood pressure measurements.

The researchers concluded that whey protein beverages could be useful for the dietary treatment of prehypertension and/or stage 1 hypertension. Excessive pressure on artery walls caused by high blood pressure can damage blood vessels, in addition to the body's organs. Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to heart attack or stroke, in addition to other conditions.

Remarking on the potential way in which whey proteins affect blood pressure, the WSU researchers said that the effects may be related to whey’s influence on production of nitric oxide; a chemical genus known to play a role in blood pressure regulation.  This proposition is backed by a randomized, double-blind study which showed that a proprietary peptide NOP-47, improved blood vessel function in healthy individuals with the effects occurring by way of nitric oxide dependent and independent mechanisms. NOP-47 was discovered as part of its search for naturally derived whey peptide fragments that promote health and sports performance.

Millions of people worldwide suffer from high blood pressure and the blood pressure sector of the massive international drugs industry is one of the biggest of all.  How wonderful would it be if we can help deal with our blood pressure issues by something as simple as a regular whey protein drink. ACE-inhibiting peptides derived from food sources are considered to be safer and to have less contra-indications than drugs currently prescribed for hypertension treatment, according to the U.S. Dairy Export Council. Happily for all of us, these drinks are already available and have been applauded for years as being good for boosting one's immune system, assisting one's blood flow and providing valuable antioxidants. However, some care should be taken in selecting your whey protein product. Choose badly and you could do more harm than good with potential high levels of toxic heavy metals in poor quality products. Undoubtedly there will be more research but there is great promise that the onset of increasing blood pressure, especially in young adults, may be more pleasant to regulate than one could ever have hoped.