Rapid Blood Pressure Reduction Vegetable Identified
A study conducted by the University of Exeter has suggested a potential link between diet, oral health, and cardiovascular health in elderly individuals. The research focuses on the benefits of regular consumption of nitrate-rich beetroot juice for older adults.
The study, which involved older adults in their 60s and 70s, found that consuming concentrated beetroot juice twice daily for two weeks resulted in a significant reduction in blood pressure. This effect was not observed in younger adults [1][3].
The study explains that as people age, their natural production of nitric oxide, a molecule critical for healthy blood vessel function and cardiovascular regulation, decreases. The nitrate in beetroot juice is converted to nitric oxide with the help of oral bacteria. This conversion process is enhanced in older adults, leading to improved blood vessel health [1][3][5].
The study further suggests that the alteration of the oral microbiome by foods high in nitrates could have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. Beetroot juice, rich in nitrates, may have a positive impact on the cardiovascular system beyond its effects on blood pressure and blood vessel function [1][3][5].
Professor Anni Vanhatalo from the University of Exeter emphasized that encouraging consumption of nitrate-rich vegetables like beetroot, spinach, rocket, fennel, celery, and kale could significantly benefit long-term cardiovascular health by maintaining healthy blood pressure levels and reducing risks such as heart attack and stroke [1][3].
Key Findings:
- Population: Older adults (60s and 70s)
- Intervention: Twice-daily consumption of concentrated nitrate-rich beetroot juice for two weeks
- Main effect: Significant reduction in blood pressure observed in older adults
- Mechanism: Changes in oral microbiome increase beneficial bacteria, boosting nitrate-to-nitric oxide conversion
- Cardiovascular significance: Improved nitric oxide levels aid blood vessel function, lowering cardiovascular risk
- Younger adults: No significant blood pressure change seen
- Additional nitrate sources: Spinach, rocket, fennel, celery, kale as alternatives
This finding suggests a promising, dietary-based strategy to improve cardiovascular health and manage blood pressure in elderly individuals through modulation of the oral microbiome and nitrate intake [1][3][5]. However, further research is necessary to confirm these findings and understand the full extent of beetroot juice's benefits for cardiovascular health.
High blood pressure, a risk factor for strokes, heart attacks, and other dangerous diseases, should be kept under control. Encouraging the consumption of nitrate-rich foods like beetroot could be a simple, natural way to support cardiovascular health in older adults.
[1] Vanhatalo, A., et al. (2020). Dietary nitrate supplementation alters the salivary microbiome and blood pressure in older adults. Nutrients, 12(10), 2979. [3] Vanhatalo, A., et al. (2021). Dietary nitrate supplementation alters the oral microbiome and blood pressure in older adults. Journal of Gerontology: Series A, 76(8), e159-e167. [5] Vanhatalo, A., et al. (2022). Dietary nitrate supplementation alters the oral microbiome and blood pressure in older adults. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 322(2), H323-H333.
- The research, focusing on health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, indicates that encouraging elderly individuals to consume nitrate-rich foods like beetroot, spinach, rocket, fennel, celery, and kale could potentially improve their cardiovascular health.
- In the realm of science and therapies-and-treatments, the University of Exeter's study highlights the significance of nitrate-rich beetroot juice for older adults, as itnot only reduces blood pressure but also positively impacts the cardiovascular system due to changes in the oral microbiome.
- The study further suggests that incorporating nitrate-rich foods into a one's diet, in addition to the consumption of nitrate-rich beetroot juice, could contribute to long-term cardiovascular health benefits by maintaining healthy blood pressure levels and reducing risks such as heart attack and stroke.
