Beetroot Juice May Lower Blood Pressure

Beetroot Juice was recently shown in a UK study to decrease the blood pressure in healthy volunteers. While beets and other vegetables are considered beneficial to health for their high anti-oxidant levels, the researchers suspect it is the nitrate content of the beetroot juice that provided the cardiovascular benefit.

After consuming the beetroot juice, the study subject’s blood pressure was measured to detect the effects. Within one hour, blood pressure was notably lowered. The positive effects of the beetroot juice were observed in the subject’s blood pressure over a period of 24-hours.
When the juice is consumed, saliva on the tongue converts it into nitrates. Some of these nitrates are then reabsorbed into the body and dilate the blood vessels.

Hypertension is an increasing public health problem effecting over 25% of the adult population. Drinking beetroot juice and juice from other green leafy vegetables may be a low-cost answer to this health epidemic.