Drinking THIS juice lowers blood pressure, even in older adults
High blood pressure is a silent killer. If not managed properly, it can lead to stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, and other chronic diseases. For older adults, managing blood pressure is especially tricky.
What if lowering blood pressure is as simple as drinking a delightful juice? Yes, you read it right. You can now drink a certain juice and lower blood pressure. A recent study has found that drinking beetroot juice can help lower blood pressure, even in older adults.
A study led by researchers at the University of Exeter found that beetroot juice has the potential to lower blood pressure in older people by changing the oral microbiome. The findings are published in the journal
Free Radical Biology and Medicine
.
Before we dive into the miraculous effects of drinking beetroot juice, let's understand high blood pressure.
What is high blood pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, happens when the force of blood pushing against the artery walls is consistently too high. The pressure goes too high, 140/90 mmHg or higher. The normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. Over time, this high pressure damages the arteries and leads to serious complications like a heart attack and stroke.
What makes hypertension dangerous is that you won't know whether you have it unless you check it.
Because there are hardly any signs or symptoms. Almost half of the population is unaware that they are living with hypertension.
Beetroot juice and high blood pressure
(Pic courtesy: iStock)
Previous studies have shown that a high nitrate diet can reduce blood pressure. This could slash the risk of many chronic diseases, including heart disease. This new study which is the largest study of its kind, looked at why the high nitrate diet lowers blood pressure, especially in older individuals.
Nitrate is essential for the body and is a natural part of a vegetable-rich diet. The researchers found that in older adults who consumed a concentrated beetroot juice 'shot' twice a day for two weeks, the blood pressure lowered.
Interestingly, this is effect was not seen in the younger group.
Supreme Court Pushes Central Govt to Finalise FOPL: What It Means & Why It Matters? | Explained
Oral microbiome's role
To understand the effects of
beetroot juice
, the researchers studied 39 adults under the age of 30 and 36 adults in their 60s and 70s. The participants were given beetroot juice for two weeks and a placebo version with nitrate removed for another two weeks, with a washout period in between.
The researchers found that nitrate-rich beetroot juice lowered blood pressure in older people due to the suppression of potentially harmful bacteria in the mouth. When there is an imbalance between beneficial and harmful oral bacteria, it can lead to a decrease in the conversion of nitrate (abundant in vegetable-rich diets) to nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide is essential for the healthy functioning of the blood vessels and, therefore, the regulation of blood pressure.
'We know that a nitrate-rich diet has health benefits, and older people produce less of their own nitric oxide as they age. They also tend to have higher blood pressure, which can be linked to cardiovascular complications like heart attack and stroke. Encouraging older adults to consume more nitrate-rich vegetables could have significant long-term health benefits. The good news is that if you don't like beetroot, there are many nitrate-rich alternatives like spinach, rocket, fennel, celery, and kale,' study author Professor Anni Vanhatalo, of the University of Exeter, said in a statement.
'This study shows that nitrate-rich foods alter the oral microbiome in a way that could result in less inflammation, as well as a lowering of blood pressure in older people. This paves the way for larger studies to explore the influence of lifestyle factors and biological sex in how people respond to dietary nitrate supplementation,' co-author Professor Andy Jones, of the University of Exeter, said.
'This research is a great example of how bioscience can help us better understand the complex links between diet, the microbiome and healthy ageing. By uncovering how dietary nitrate affects oral bacteria and blood pressure in older adults, the study opens up new opportunities for improving vascular health through nutrition. BBSRC is proud to have supported this innovative partnership between academic researchers and industry to advance knowledge with real-world benefits,' Dr Lee Beniston FRSB, Associate Director for Industry Partnerships and Collaborative Research and Development at BBSRC, added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
Study claims beetroot juice can lower blood pressure
People with high blood pressure may benefit from drinking beetroot juice, claimed a study. The blood pressure-lowering effect of nitrate-rich beetroot juice may be attributed to specific changes in their oral microbiome, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Exeter in the UK. Nitrate is crucial to the body and is consumed as a natural part of a vegetable-rich diet. In the study, when the adults drank a concentrated beetroot juice 'shot' twice a day for two weeks, their blood pressure decreased. However, the effect was not observed in the younger group, as revealed by the findings published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 'This study shows that nitrate-rich foods alter the oral microbiome in a way that could result in less inflammation, as well as a lowering of blood pressure in older people. This paves the way for larger studies to explore the influence of lifestyle factors and biological sex in how people respond to dietary nitrate supplementation,' said Professor Andy Jones, of the University of Exeter. The study recruited 39 adults aged under 30 and 36 adults in their 60s and 70s who spent two weeks taking regular doses of nitrate-rich beetroot juice and two weeks on a placebo version of the juice with nitrate stripped out. The older age group experienced a notable decrease in the potentially harmful mouth bacteria Prevotella after drinking the nitrate-rich juice, and an increase in the growth of bacteria known to benefit health, such as Neisseria. The team said that an imbalance between beneficial and harmful oral bacteria can decrease the conversion of nitrate (abundant in vegetable-rich diets) to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is crucial to the healthy functioning of the blood vessels, and therefore the regulation of blood pressure, the researchers explained. 'The good news is that if you don't like beetroot, there are many nitrate-rich alternatives like spinach, rocket, fennel, celery, and kale,' added Professor Anni Vanhatalo, from the varsity.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
How much vegetable intake is needed daily? Top functional medicine doctor weighs in
Ever since the beginning, people might have advised you to eat your vegetables and greens. Vegetables and leafy greens are key to physical and mental health. The fiber content in the vegetables improves gut health, and while the nutrients present in them promote heart and brain health, among others. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But how much vegetables should you eat to get these benefits? What should be the daily intake when it comes to vegetables? Dr. Shirley Koeh, a functional medicine doctor based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has shared insights on this. From the daily vegetable intake to portion sizing, the doctor shares valuable information on vegetables. Let's take a look. Daily intake of vegetables Though should be a crucial part of our daily diet, most people fall short. For most people, their meal is largely meat-based, and carbs, especially in Western countries. Children are more likely to eat fewer vegetables than they require. Dr. Koeh agrees the same and adds, 'How much vegetables do you need every day? Most people are not even close, especially your kids.' But, in order to get optimal health benefits, it is crucial that your diet has enough veggies. But what should be an ideal portion? According to the NHS, adults should have at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. An adult portion of fruit or vegetables is 80g. Dr. Koeh further breaks down this and suggests, 'Use your fist to measure your portion size that matches what your body needs. Taking cooked , you'll need roughly about 4 to 5 fistfuls per day.' She emphasizes that the portion sizes may vary if you are opting for raw vegetables. 'If it's raw veggies, you'll need up to 10 fistfuls per day. This is because raw vegetables will shrink when cooked, so you will need to double the amount,' she adds. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Supreme Court Pushes Central Govt to Finalise FOPL: What It Means & Why It Matters? | Explained The recommendation for children is also similar. They should aim to eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day. The exact amount, however, could vary depending on the child's age, body size, and levels of physical activity. Why veggies are important Dr. Koeh also stressed the importance of incorporating vegetables into the daily diet. 'Vegetables aren't just healthy, but they provide fiber, which is the food for your gut bacteria. It also stabilizes your blood sugar and your cholesterol. And most importantly, it supports your immune function,' she said. While eating veggies, also ensure to incorporate a variety of them. The more colourful the plate, the healthier.
Time of India
27-07-2025
- Time of India
Feeling drained lately? 3 red flags of burnout, according to an expert
Burnout, a consequence of chronic stress, manifests in physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. Dr. Julie Smith highlights fatigue, sleep issues, and appetite changes as physical indicators. Emotionally, individuals may feel defeated and lose interest in previously enjoyed activities. Behaviorally, procrastination and increased reliance on coping mechanisms are common signs, signaling a need for action. Is your life heading in a different direction as opposed to your desire? Are you running on empty and struggling to find motivation for almost everything? Burnout is real, and it is more common than you think. Caused by chronic stress, often stemming from work, burnout is more serious than you think. Dr. Julie Smith, a clinical psychologist and New York Times bestselling author, has shared three key signs of burnout that will help you recognize when it's time to take action. Let's take a look. Physical symptoms Burnout is more than a feeling. It can impact your physical, emotional, and mental health. Dr. Smith says that the burnout can manifest as physical symptoms. These physical symptoms is not just limited to fatique. While feeling exhausted most of the time is a clear red flag, you may also notice having trouble sleeping and frequent headaches . One may also experience changes in the appetite, such as feeling hungry all the time or not feeling hungry at all. Emotional symptoms According to Dr. Smith, burnout also exhibits emotional symptoms. 'You'll feel defeated, helpless, or trapped, maybe even fantasizing about leaving all your responsibilities behind for a while,' she said, in a video shared on Instagram. A person experiencing burnout may lose all the sense of satisfaction, achievement, or enjoyment in things that they once enjoyed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo This could be work, relationships, or even the simple things in life. These joys will be replaced by dread, worry, or anxiety. Supreme Court Pushes Central Govt to Finalise FOPL: What It Means & Why It Matters? | Explained Behavioral symptoms One of the biggest red flags is behavioral symptoms. One may procrastinate more than ever. 'Tasks that used to feel easy now feel overwhelming, and you're so tired that even socializing now feels too much. You might also become more reliant on whatever your drug of choice is,' she adds. People might also become more short-tempered and tend to argue more with the ones that mean the most to them. Dr. Smith also explains that behavioural symptoms are the first that get noticed, 'That's because we often move straight from a painful emotion into doing something to numb it and get some relief from it. You don't think consciously about feeling overwhelmed with stress - you just notice that you are putting off all the jobs that used to come easy, and avoiding even the things you once enjoyed. None of this is a fault or weakness. Stress is information. When you are willing to look at that information with curiosity, it can tell you what you need.'
