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

Scientific Claim

Higher relative abundance of nitrate-reducing oral bacteria is associated with lower plasma glucose levels in adults without diabetes, with a 1 standard deviation increase in nitrate-reducing taxa summary score corresponding to a 1.03 mg/dL decrease in plasma glucose.

Original Statement

“After multivariable adjustment, a 1-SD increase in NO3TSS, was associated with a −0.09 (95% CI, −0.15 to −0.03) and −1.03 mg/dL (95% CI, −1.903 to −0.16) lower natural log-transformed homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance and plasma glucose, respectively.”

From study:Association Between Nitrate‐Reducing Oral Bacteria and Cardiometabolic Outcomes: Results From ORIGINS

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 is observational and cross-sectional, so 'associated with' is the correct verb strength. The claim accurately reflects the statistical relationship without implying causation.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Association Between Nitrate‐Reducing Oral Bacteria and Cardiometabolic Outcomes: Results From ORIGINS

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2019 Dec 3

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Association Between Nitrate‐Reducing Oral Bacteria and Cardiometabolic Outcomes: Results From ORIGINS

Score: 53

DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.119.013324

Similar Assertions

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

91%

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.

88%

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.

81%

The amount of oral bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites varies a lot between people, from less than 0.1% to over 85% of all oral bacteria.

80%

People with more oral bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites tend to have lower blood pressure, but only if they don't already have high blood pressure.

78%