The Claim
Two weeks of antiseptic mouthwash (Listerine®) use does not significantly alter plasma nitrite concentrations or blood pressure in healthy young or older adults, despite reducing oral microbiome diversity in young adults, indicating that the mouthwash formulation does not broadly inhibit nitrate-reducing bacteria.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Using Listerine® mouthwash for two weeks does not change blood nitrite levels or blood pressure in healthy young or older adults, even though it reduces the variety of bacteria in the mouth of young adults, showing that the mouthwash does not broadly affect bacteria that convert nitrate to nitrite.
See the scientific wording
Antiseptic mouthwash (Listerine®) for two weeks does not significantly alter plasma nitrite or blood pressure in healthy older or young adults, despite reducing oral microbiome diversity in the young, indicating that the mouthwash formulation used does not broadly inhibit nitrate-reducing bacteria.
Bacteria in the mouth convert dietary nitrate into nitrite, which enters the bloodstream and becomes nitric oxide to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Antiseptic mouthwash kills some oral bacteria but does not remove the specific types that make nitrite, so nitrite levels and blood pressure stay unchanged.
What the research says
1 studyUsing Listerine for two weeks didn’t change nitrite levels or blood pressure in healthy people, even though it killed some mouth bacteria — meaning it didn’t mess with the good bacteria that help make nitric oxide.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.