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).

Scientific Claim

Reduction in plasma nitrite levels following disruption of oral nitrate-reducing bacteria is associated with a 2-3.5 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure and a 2-2.2 mmHg increase in diastolic blood pressure 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 (observational crossover) can support association but not causation. The language 'is associated with' appropriately reflects the correlational nature of the findings.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2013 Feb

Contradicting (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.

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Bacteria in the mouth help regulate blood pressure by converting nitrate to nitrite, which is part of the body's natural blood pressure control system.

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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.

88%

Even when people ate a diet low in nitrate, using the special mouthwash still increased their blood pressure, which suggests the effect comes from the body's own nitrate recycling process.

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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.

88%