People with more oral bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites tend to have better insulin sensitivity, meaning their bodies handle sugar better.

People with more oral bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites tend to have lower blood sugar levels.

Even after accounting for many other factors that could affect insulin sensitivity, the link between oral bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites and better insulin sensitivity still holds true.

The amount of oral bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites doesn't seem to be related to whether people have prediabetes or high blood pressure.

Eating foods with inorganic nitrate might change the bacteria in the mouths of people with type 2 diabetes—making some helpful bacteria grow more and others shrink—which could help their bodies make more nitric oxide, a molecule that helps blood flow.

Eating foods with inorganic nitrate might change the bacteria in your mouth in a way that helps your body make more nitric oxide, which could be helpful for people with type 2 diabetes.