Whether a woman is pregnant or not doesn't seem to affect how well her mouth bacteria can convert nitrate to nitrite.

Scientific Claim

Oral nitrate reductase activity was not significantly different between pregnant and non-pregnant women, with a p-value of 0.991.

Original Statement

“Oral NaR activity was not significantly different in pregnant versus non-pregnant women (p=0.991) but tended to be lower in hypertensive compared with normotensive women (p=0.099).”

From study:Altered Oral Nitrate Reduction and Bacterial Profiles in Hypertensive Women Predict Blood Pressure Lowering Following Acute Dietary Nitrate Supplementation

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 shows no significant association between pregnancy status and oral nitrate reductase activity. The language 'was not significantly different' appropriately describes the lack of association.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Altered Oral Nitrate Reduction and Bacterial Profiles in Hypertensive Women Predict Blood Pressure Lowering Following Acute Dietary Nitrate Supplementation

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2023 Nov

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Altered Oral Nitrate Reduction and Bacterial Profiles in Hypertensive Women Predict Blood Pressure Lowering Following Acute Dietary Nitrate Supplementation

Score: 34

DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.123.21263

Similar Assertions

Women with high blood pressure tend to have slightly lower mouth bacteria activity for converting nitrate to nitrite compared to women with normal blood pressure, though this difference isn't quite statistically significant.

76%

The amount of a specific gene involved in nitrate reduction (narH) was similar in the mouths of pregnant women who later got preeclampsia and those who stayed healthy.

71%