People with gum disease have more nitrate left in their saliva after drinking beetroot juice, meaning their mouth bacteria aren't converting it as well as healthy people's bacteria.

Scientific Claim

Periodontitis patients have higher levels of salivary nitrate after beetroot juice consumption compared to healthy individuals (893 mg/L vs 616 mg/L), suggesting reduced nitrate reduction capacity in periodontitis.

Original Statement

“Lower levels of salivary nitrate after identical doses of BRJ intake indicated a potentially higher NRC in healthy individuals (P < 0.05).”

From study:The blood pressure lowering effect of beetroot juice is impaired in periodontitis and recovered after periodontal treatment

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 is observational and shows association between periodontitis and higher salivary nitrate levels. The language 'suggesting reduced nitrate reduction capacity' appropriately reflects the inferred mechanism.

More Accurate Statement

“Periodontitis is associated with higher levels of salivary nitrate after beetroot juice consumption compared to healthy individuals (893 mg/L vs 616 mg/L), suggesting reduced nitrate reduction capacity in periodontitis.”

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

The blood pressure lowering effect of beetroot juice is impaired in periodontitis and recovered after periodontal treatment

Cohort Study

Human

2025 Jan 9

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

The blood pressure lowering effect of beetroot juice is impaired in periodontitis and recovered after periodontal treatment

Score: 38

DOI: 10.1038/s41522-024-00622-5

Similar Assertions

People with gum disease don't get the same blood pressure-lowering effect from beetroot juice as healthy people do.

88%

Treating gum disease helps people with gum problems get the blood pressure-lowering benefits from beetroot juice.

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Drinking beetroot juice makes people produce more saliva, with healthy people producing more than those with gum disease.

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Researchers gave women a drink with 400 mg of nitrate (from beetroot juice) to see how it affected their blood pressure and nitrate/nitrite levels.

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Drinking beetroot juice (about 1 cup) lowers blood pressure, with the biggest drop being about 5 mm Hg, and it works similarly to nitrate supplements.

73%