Even when people ate a diet low in nitrate, using the special mouthwash still increased their blood pressure, which suggests the effect comes from the body's own nitrate recycling process.
Scientific Claim
In healthy young adults, the blood pressure increase from disrupting oral nitrate-reducing bacteria was observed even when participants were on a low-nitrate diet, suggesting the effect is related to endogenous nitrate recycling.
Original Statement
“All volunteers were fasted on clinic visits and had been on a low-nitrate-containing diet for the preceding 24 h; therefore, the majority of the circulating nitrate measured in their plasma originates from the endogenous source of the NO synthase pathway.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The study design supports describing the blood pressure effect in the context of a low-nitrate diet. The language 'was observed' appropriately reflects the observed pattern without implying causation.
More Accurate Statement
“In healthy young adults, the blood pressure increase following disruption of oral nitrate-reducing bacteria was observed even when participants were on a low-nitrate diet, suggesting the effect is related to endogenous nitrate recycling.”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Physiological role for nitrate-reducing oral bacteria in blood pressure control