Research from the University of Exeter found that nitrate-rich beetroot juice lowered systolic blood pressure in adults over 65, with benefits tied to changes in oral bacteria that help produce nitric oxide.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Drinking beetroot juice may help lower blood pressure in older adults, but the benefits appear to depend on age, regular consumption and the bacteria living in the mouth, according to research cited in the submitted material.
A University of Exeter study led by Anni Vanhatalo found that older adults who drank nitrate-rich beetroot juice twice a day experienced an average systolic blood pressure reduction of about 4 mmHg. The same effect was not seen among younger adults ages 18 to 30.
The findings suggest that beetroot juice may be especially useful for adults over 65 because aging is associated with reduced nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide helps relax and widen blood vessels, supporting better circulation and lower blood pressure.
The study recruited 39 participants ages 18 to 30 and 36 participants ages 65 to 79. All participants had blood pressure at or below 140/90 and had no active oral disease.
During three separate two-week periods, participants drank about 2.5 ounces of either nitrate-rich beetroot juice or a placebo juice twice per day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Between the juice phases, participants used mouthwash twice daily for two weeks.
Researchers found that the effect of beetroot juice was closely connected to the oral microbiome. Beetroot contains naturally occurring nitrates, but those nitrates must be converted into nitrite and then nitric oxide before they can help relax blood vessels. That conversion depends heavily on bacteria in the mouth.
“Individuals with elevated blood pressure showed greater reductions,” Vanhatalo, a professor of human physiology at the University of Exeter Medical School, told Health.
Testing showed that beetroot juice changed the balance of oral bacteria. The juice appeared to suppress certain inflammatory bacteria, including Prevotella species, while supporting bacteria involved in nitrate-to-nitrite conversion.
Some oral bacteria may interfere with nitric oxide production by producing ammonia, which can disrupt the nitrate conversion process. By reducing those bacteria and promoting beneficial types, beetroot juice may improve the body’s ability to produce nitric oxide and lower blood pressure.
A separate study published in Nutrition Research also found that beetroot juice concentrate lowered systolic blood pressure in overweight adults over age 50. In that study, daily beetroot juice concentrate consumption reduced systolic blood pressure by 1.3 mmHg compared with blackcurrant juice after three weeks.
The effect, however, appeared to fade after participants stopped drinking the juice. During a one-week follow-up period after supplementation ended, blood pressure began moving back toward baseline.
The benefits in that study were more evident in home blood pressure readings than in 24-hour ambulatory monitoring, suggesting beetroot juice may be more noticeable in daily blood pressure patterns than in continuous clinical measurements.
Dietitians cited in the submitted material said beetroot juice may be a useful addition to a heart-conscious diet, but it should not replace established blood pressure strategies.
“The polyphenols found in beetroot help nitric oxide from being oxidized, leaving more for the body to use,” Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, a preventive cardiology dietitian at Entirely Nourished, told Health.
Beetroot juice contains nitrates, folate, vitamin C, potassium and plant compounds that may help regulate blood pressure and reduce inflammation. Still, experts cautioned that it may not be appropriate for everyone. Drinking too much may cause stomach discomfort, and Routhenstein said people prone to calcium oxalate kidney stones may need to limit intake.
“I think beetroot juice is a viable way to lower blood pressure, but it should not replace core lifestyle strategies,” Veronica Rouse, RD, owner of The Heart Dietitian, told Health.
Experts said beetroot juice should be considered a supplement to broader lifestyle measures such as the DASH diet, sodium reduction, regular exercise, weight management, quality sleep and stress control.
The research also points to the importance of oral bacteria in cardiovascular health. As noted by BrightU.AI’s Enoch, the findings add to evidence that beetroot’s nitrate content may support healthier aging and that blood pressure benefits may depend not only on diet, but also on the bacteria inside the mouth.
For older adults with elevated blood pressure, the submitted research indicates that beetroot juice may offer a modest but meaningful reduction when consumed consistently. For younger adults, the same studies suggest the effect may be limited or absent.
Source: Natural News
Watch this video about the health benefits of beetroot juice.
This video is from the All About Herbs channel on Brighteon.com.
Original article
Comments