Antihypertensive effect of γ-amino butyric acid enriched soy products in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The effect of γ‐amino butyric acid (GABA)‐enriched soybean on blood pressure was investigated in male spontaneously hypertensive rats. Ten‐week‐old rats were given diets containing graded levels of GABA‐enriched soybean powder for 8 weeks. The systolic blood pressure in rats fed 0.15% GABA diet was significantly lower at 1st week and maintained lower values for 4 weeks as compared with 0% GABA controls. No effect on blood pressure was found in those of 0.03 and 0.3% GABA. The results suggest that there exist appropriate dietary GABA level to get the blood pressure lowering effect.