May lower blood pressure

Hypertension (excessive blood pressure) is a major risk factor for heart disease. Numerous studies have found that eating dairy products lowers blood pressure. This action has been attributed to a class of bioactive peptides found in milk known as angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors). Lactokinins are ACE inhibitors found in whey proteins (14Trusted Source). Several animal studies have shown that they are good for blood pressure. A small number of human studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of whey proteins on blood pressure, and many experts believe the evidence is equivocal.

In one research on overweight people, 54 g of whey protein per day for 12 weeks reduced systolic blood pressure by 4%. Other milk proteins (casein) had comparable results. Another study demonstrated substantial improvements after individuals were administered whey protein concentrate (22 g/day) for 6 weeks. Blood pressure, on the other hand, was reduced solely in those who had high or somewhat increased blood pressure, to begin with. A study that employed significantly smaller levels of whey protein (less than 3.25 g/day) blended in a milk drink found no significant effects on blood pressure.