How Gut Bacteria Influence Blood Pressure (And Why Salt Isn’t the Whole Story) As scientists continue to study the trillions of microorganisms living in our intestines—collectively known as the gut microbiome—it’s becoming clear that this 3–5 pound ecosystem of bacteria plays a central role in nearly every aspect of human health. In fact, some researchers now believe the microbiome may be more influential than our genes in determining health or disease. One of the most surprising discoveries in recent years is the microbiome’s direct involvement in blood pressure regulation. Salt, Blood Pressure, and the Microbiome Connection It’s long been known that excessive salt intake is associated with high blood pressure. What’s new is how salt appears to exert its effects. Salt Alters Gut Bacteria—and Blood Pressure Follows A landmark 2017 study found that when mice and humans consumed excess salt, beneficial gut bacteria declined while pro…