Bacteria in the mouth help regulate blood pressure by converting nitrate to nitrite, which is part of the body's natural blood pressure control system.
Scientific Claim
Oral nitrate-reducing bacteria play a role in the physiological regulation of blood pressure through the conversion of endogenous nitrate to nitrite in healthy young adults.
Original Statement
“These results suggest that the recycling of endogenous nitrate by oral bacteria plays an important role in determination of plasma nitrite levels and thereby in the physiological control of blood pressure.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
overstated
Study Design Support
Design cannot support claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The study design (observational crossover) cannot establish causation or physiological role. The language 'plays an important role' implies causation when only association was demonstrated.
More Accurate Statement
“Oral nitrate-reducing bacteria are associated with physiological regulation of blood pressure through the conversion of endogenous nitrate to nitrite in healthy young adults.”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (10)
The comparative effect of propolis and chlorhexidine mouthwash on oral nitrite-producing bacteria and blood pressure regulation
This study looked at how different mouthwashes affect the bacteria in the mouth that help control blood pressure, and found that one type of mouthwash had a smaller effect on these bacteria.
Nitrate ingestion blunts the increase in blood pressure during cool air exposure: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover trial
This research showed that taking nitrate supplements can help prevent blood pressure from rising in response to cold temperatures.
Inorganic Nitrate Supplementation Lowers Blood Pressure in Humans: Role for Nitrite-Derived NO
This study found that taking nitrate supplements can help lower blood pressure in people, which is important for understanding how the bacteria in the mouth help control blood pressure.
Effects of dietary nitrate and vitamin C co-ingestion on blood pressure and hand-grip strength in young adults.
This research showed that eating foods rich in nitrate and vitamin C together can help improve blood vessel function and lower blood pressure in young adults.
Physiological role for nitrate-reducing oral bacteria in blood pressure control
Physiological role for nitrate-reducing oral bacteria in blood pressure control
This study found that the bacteria in the mouth help control blood pressure by converting a type of salt into a molecule that helps relax blood vessels.
Reduced Abundance of Nitrate-Reducing Bacteria in the Oral Microbiota of Women with Future Preeclampsia
This study found that women who developed high blood pressure during pregnancy had fewer nitrate-reducing bacteria in their mouths, which could be an important factor in controlling blood pressure.
This research showed that the bacteria in the mouth help convert dietary nitrate into a form that can lower blood pressure, and that this effect can be boosted with nitrate supplements.
Functional mouth rinse containing inorganic nitrate and antioxidants bolsters the enterosalivary pathway and lowers blood pressure in Wistar rats
This research showed that a special mouthwash with nitrate and antioxidants can help lower blood pressure in rats by boosting the good bacteria in the mouth.
This research found that the bacteria in the mouth and skin can help control blood pressure, and that some types of bacteria are better at this than others.
Contradicting (2)
Association Between Nitrate‐Reducing Oral Bacteria and Cardiometabolic Outcomes: Results From ORIGINS
This research found that the relationship between the bacteria in the mouth and blood pressure is not as straightforward as previously thought, and that other factors may be involved.
This research found that gum disease can interfere with the ability of nitrate-rich foods to lower blood pressure, which suggests that mouth health is important for this process.