Find out what doctors say.
Researchers say that bacteria in the mouth convert compounds in beets into nitric oxide, which supports healthy blood flow. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , putting them at an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
So when a study found that drinking a daily glass of beet juice lowers blood pressure, it seemed like a simple lifestyle change that could yield big-time benefits. Here, discover what the study found, plus what a cardiologist and dietitian think of the findings and whether you should start keeping beet juice in your fridge to support yourresearchers linked beetroot juice consumption with lowered blood pressure in older adults.
Over three two-week trial periods , study participants were instructed to either drink nitrate-rich beet juice or a placebo beet juice twice daily or rinse their mouths with mouthwash twice daily for 30 seconds, aside from the last day, which prompted one final drink or rinse. The beet juice and placebo drinkers did not use mouthwash during their assigned juice-drinking periods.
Participants were divided into two demographics—younger adults and older adults . There were 42 young adults and 36 older adults, making for a small, combined cohort of 78 people. The goal was to analyze how bacterial changes within the oral microbiome may influence blood pressure levels. So, researchers monitored both the whole time.
Participants were not medicated for any pulmonary, cardiovascular, or metabolic conditions, nor did they have ulcerative colitis, renal disease, or active oral disease or dentures. People who smoked and people with stage 2 hypertension or those who had used antibiotics within three months prior to the study were also excluded. The testing began after an overnight fast and the avoidance of strenuous exercise, alcohol, and caffeine for 24 hours.
Other than drinking their assigned drink , participants proceeded normally with all their other habits. After the three trials were compared, researchers concluded that drinking beetroot juice may help lower blood pressure in older adults . According to.
, a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology and LabFinder.com contributor, this was “likely by changing the composition of bacteria in the mouth. ” More specifically, researchers discovered that drinking beet juice led to “a decrease in certain bacteria and an increase in others that are better at converting dietary nitrate into nitric oxide, a compound that helps blood vessels relax,” explainedWhat happened in the study seems to be based on the relationship between nitrates, blood pressure, and the oral microbiome.are chemicals found naturally in the environment, vegetables, and preserved meats.
With the help of the aforementioned bacteria that live in the mouth, dietary nitrates are converted to nitric oxide, which can improve heart health by relaxing blood vessels and boosting blood flow, said Dr. Shenoy. In fact, nitrates are commonly found in blood pressure-controlling medications, she added.
“That’s why diets high in nitrate-rich vegetables, like spinach, arugula, and beets, are consistently linked with better vascular health,” concluded Adrian. The question mark hanging over these findings is the role of the oral microbiome, but it does appear to have one.
“We are still learning about the connection between the oral microbiome and blood pressure, but it is possible that certain bacteria in the mouth could turn nutrients into substances that lower blood pressure,” Dr. Shenoy explained.and the potential cancer risk associated with it. Those concerns are largely linked to processed food and water sources with added nitrates that aim to prevent bacteria growth and improve food’s taste and color.
Naturally occurring nitrates in vegetables are considered safe to eat .
“According to this study, only older adults experienced a slight drop in blood pressure from drinking beetroot juice, and more studies are needed to explore which individuals will respond,” said Dr. Shenoy. “Eating more vegetables like beetroot may help heart health, but it is important to remember that is just one part of a healthy lifestyle. More research is needed to support strong recommendations to consume beetroot as a blood-pressure-lowering therapy.
” While it does not appear that drinking beet juice will hinder your efforts to lower your blood pressure, Dr. Shenoy stressed that it's only one tool in your toolbox.
“Other components of a heart-healthy lifestyle include eating a varied diet, limiting sodium intake, and exercising regularly,” she said. The combination of these healthy choices—plus personalized recommendations from your physician—will have the largest effect on your blood pressure and heart health overall.
Please follow us on Google to support usUnited States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nine in ten women unaware of breast density as key cancer risk, study findsA survey reveals that 90% of women do not know their breast density, a significant factor in breast cancer risk and detection. Denser breasts increase cancer risk up to sixfold and reduce mammogram effectiveness, yet many women are not informed. Researchers estimate thousands of cancers go undetected annually due to this issue.
Read more »
Airport Beer Prices 32% Higher Than Local Pubs, Study FindsA study by Idealo shows that a pint of lager at UK airports costs an average of £7.24, compared to £5.50 in pubs. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is the most expensive at £7.94 per pint, while Stansted is the cheapest among those surveyed at £6.45. The research aimed to help World Cup travelers find affordable pre-flight drinks.
Read more »
Weekly weightlifting sweet spot may be linked to longer life, study findsResearch suggests 90 to 119 minutes per week of resistance training is linked to a 13% lower risk of all-cause death and 19% lower heart disease risk.
Read more »
One muscle protein may hold the key to staying stronger as you age, study findsNew research identifies a muscle protein called NOX4 that declines with age and inactivity, potentially explaining why exercise keeps people stronger.
Read more »