Analysis Version
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Back to Study: Physiological role for nitrate-reducing oral bacte...
quantitative
45
Pro
0
Against

There's a clear connection between how much nitrite is in the blood and blood pressure changes when mouth bacteria are disrupted, with a strong statistical relationship.

Scientific Claim

The relationship between plasma nitrite levels and blood pressure changes following oral bacteria disruption is statistically significant, with a correlation coefficient of r²=0.56 (p=0.002) in healthy young adults.

Original Statement

“Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased by 2–3.5 mmHg, increases correlated to a decrease in circulating nitrite concentrations (r2 = 0.56, p = 0.002).”

From study:Physiological role for nitrate-reducing oral bacteria in blood pressure control

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 supports correlational claims. The language 'is statistically significant' appropriately reflects the correlation observed without implying causation.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

45
45

Physiological role for nitrate-reducing oral bacteria in blood pressure control

Cross-Sectional Study
Human
2013 Feb

Contradicting (0)

0
No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Physiological role for nitrate-reducing oral bacteria in blood pressure control

Score: 45
DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2012.11.013

Similar Assertions

When nitrite levels in the blood went down after using mouthwash, blood pressure went up, and this connection was strong enough to be statistically significant.

45
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86%

When bacteria that help convert nitrate to nitrite in the mouth are reduced, blood pressure tends to go up by a small amount (2-3.5 mmHg for systolic and 2-2.2 mmHg for diastolic).

45
0
83%

When mouth bacteria are disrupted, blood pressure goes up regardless of how it's measured - whether at the doctor's office, at home, or with a 24-hour monitor.

45
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80%

Bacteria in the mouth help keep nitrite levels in the blood stable, which is shown by the fact that people with higher nitrite in their saliva also tend to have higher nitrite in their blood.

45
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79%

The small blood pressure increase from using the special mouthwash was similar in size to what's known to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

45
0
78%