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.
Scientific Claim
Higher relative abundance of nitrate-reducing oral bacteria is associated with lower systolic blood pressure in adults without hypertension, with a 1 standard deviation increase in nitrate-reducing taxa summary score corresponding to a 1.53 mmHg decrease in systolic blood pressure.
Original Statement
“NO3TSS was associated with systolic BP only among patients without hypertension; 1-SD increase in NO3TSS was associated with −1.53 (95% CI, −2.82 to −0.24) mm Hg lower mean systolic BP.”
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 specifies the population (without hypertension) and reflects the statistical relationship without implying causation.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Association Between Nitrate‐Reducing Oral Bacteria and Cardiometabolic Outcomes: Results From ORIGINS