Beetroot Juice May Help Lower Blood Pressure in Two Weeks for Older Adults, with Links to the Mouth’s Microbiome
Recent research indicates that beetroot juice may lower blood pressure in older adults by altering oral bacteria. The study found that drinking nitrate-rich beetroot juice twice daily for two weeks resulted in measurable reductions in blood pressure. This discovery highlights the potential health benefits of dietary nitrate for older individuals who often struggle with blood pressure regulation.
- ▪The study published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine involved 75 adults, with a focus on those aged 60 and 70.
- ▪Older adults who consumed concentrated beetroot juice experienced significant reductions in blood pressure compared to younger participants.
- ▪The research suggests that beetroot juice may suppress harmful oral bacteria while promoting beneficial microbes linked to better health.
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Love them or hate them, beets have earned a reputation as a heart-healthy food. Now, new research suggests that beets could help lower blood pressure in an unexpected way — by altering the bacteria living inside your mouth.In the largest study of its kind, published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, scientists found that drinking nitrate-rich beetroot juice lowered blood pressure in older adults by reshaping the oral microbiome. Researchers say the discovery may help explain why nitrate-rich foods appear beneficial for older people, who naturally lose some ability to regulate blood pressure as they age.“This research is a great example of how bioscience can help us better understand the complex links between diet, the microbiome and healthy aging.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Discover Magazine.
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