Researchers at Monash University have uncovered how the gut—and the food we eat—affects high blood pressure.
Their discovery could lead to new, targeted treatments for hypertension, a condition that affects about one in three Australians and is a major cause of stroke, heart disease, and kidney problems.
The study, led by Professor Francine Marques from Monash University’s Hypertension Research Laboratory, involved scientists from Australia, China, and Singapore.
The team found that dietary fiber plays a key role in blood pressure regulation by interacting with specific protein receptors in the gut.
Their findings have now been published in Circulation Research.
The Link Between Gut Health and Blood Pressure
Previous research suggested that dietary fiber could help lower blood pressure, but scientists did not fully understand how this process worked. The Monash team identified two specific receptors in intestinal cells—called GPR41 and GPR43—that play a crucial role in this mechanism.
These receptors are part of a group known as “G-protein coupled receptors,” which help send signals from the outside to the inside of cells. They are found in immune cells and the lining of the intestinal wall. When activated, they trigger anti-inflammatory responses, which may help protect against high blood pressure.
So how does dietary fiber come into play? When we eat fiber-rich foods, the gut microbes ferment the fiber and produce substances called short-chain fatty acids. These fatty acids then bind to and activate the GPR41 and GPR43 receptors, helping to maintain gut health and regulate blood pressure.
The Role of Gut Permeability
One of the key findings of the study was that not eating enough fiber can make the gut more “leaky.” This means that harmful microbial components from the gut can enter the bloodstream, triggering inflammation in organs such as the kidneys. Since the kidneys play a critical role in controlling blood pressure, this inflammation can contribute to hypertension.
Dr. Rikeish R. Muralitharan, the study’s lead author, explained: “When these gut receptors are not activated—similar to what happens when we don’t eat enough fiber—the gut becomes more permeable. This allows harmful substances to enter the bloodstream, leading to inflammation and an increase in blood pressure.”
The team also analyzed genetic data from around 300,000 people and found that certain genetic variations in these gut receptors were linked to lower rates of hypertension.
What This Means for the Future
These findings suggest that systemic inflammation, commonly seen in high blood pressure, may actually start in the gut. By activating the right receptors through diet or medication, it may be possible to reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure.
Professor Marques and her team are now conducting a human clinical trial to better understand the relationship between gut health and hypertension. They are also working on developing new drugs that can activate the GPR41 and GPR43 receptors, potentially leading to new treatments for high blood pressure.
The research highlights the importance of fiber in the diet. Fiber is found in foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and resistant starches like oats and potatoes. However, most Australians do not consume enough fiber, which could be contributing to high blood pressure and other health issues.
Professor Marques emphasized the potential of these findings: “We are now partnering with experts in computational drug discovery to design new treatments that target these gut receptors. This could open the door to new ways of lowering blood pressure through the gut.”
While more research is needed, this study provides strong evidence that what we eat directly affects our blood pressure, and gut health could be a key factor in future treatments for hypertension.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about How to eat your way to healthy blood pressure and results showing that Modified traditional Chinese cuisine can lower blood pressure.
The research findings can be found in Circulation Research.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
