The Claim

Daily consumption of nitrate-rich beetroot juice (~750 mg nitrate) for two weeks in healthy older adults (67-79 years) with elevated baseline blood pressure reduces central mean arterial pressure by approximately 4 mmHg through increased plasma nitrite levels and suppression of oral bacteria involved in ammonia-producing nitrate reduction pathways, enhancing systemic nitric oxide bioavailability and vascular regulation.

Source: Ageing modifies the oral microbiome, nitric oxide bioavailability and vascular responses to dietary nitrate supplementation.

What the research says

Supports is higher

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Supports
76score
Challenges
0score

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Cause and effect
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In healthy older adults with high blood pressure, drinking nitrate-rich beetroot juice daily for two weeks lowers central arterial pressure by about 4 mmHg due to increased plasma nitrite and reduced activity of oral bacteria that produce ammonia from nitrate, which increases nitric oxide availability and improves blood vessel function.

See the scientific wording

In healthy older adults (67-79 years) with elevated baseline blood pressure, daily consumption of nitrate-rich beetroot juice (~750 mg nitrate) for two weeks reduces central mean arterial pressure by approximately 4 mmHg, an effect mediated by increased plasma nitrite levels and suppression of oral bacteria associated with ammonia-producing nitrate reduction pathways, which may enhance systemic nitric oxide bioavailability and vascular regulation.

Why this might work

When a person drinks nitrate-rich beetroot juice, the nitrate enters the saliva and is converted into nitrite by certain harmless mouth bacteria. Other mouth bacteria that waste nitrate by making ammonia are reduced in number. The nitrite enters the bloodstream and turns into nitric oxide, which tells blood vessels to relax. This relaxation lowers resistance in the blood vessels and reduces blood pressure.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study

  1. Study: Ageing modifies the oral microbiome, nitric oxide bioavailability and vascular responses to dietary nitrate supplementation.

    In older adults with high blood pressure, drinking beetroot juice for two weeks lowered their blood pressure by about 4 points, and this happened because the juice changed mouth bacteria to produce more nitrite, which helps blood vessels relax and improve blood flow.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

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