Taking nitrate supplements doesn't change your heart rate, which is good because it means the blood pressure-lowering effect isn't coming from changes in how fast your heart beats.
Scientific Claim
Inorganic nitrate supplementation does not significantly affect heart rate in healthy adults, as no significant differences were observed between nitrate and control groups.
Original Statement
“There was no significant difference in the HR response between the 2 groups (Figure S1). No sex differences in the response to KCl with respect to SBP, DBP, or HR were found (Figure S2).”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
definitive
Can make definitive causal claims
Assessment Explanation
This is a direct measurement from a controlled study showing no significant differences in heart rate between nitrate and control groups. The language 'does not significantly affect' appropriately describes the observed effect.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Inorganic Nitrate Supplementation Lowers Blood Pressure in Humans: Role for Nitrite-Derived NO