Latest news with #ExeterUniversity
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fitzgerald aims for Tokyo after breaking Budd's record
Innes Fitzgerald says she is aiming to make the Great Britain team for the World Athletics Championships after breaking the European Under-20 5,000m record. The 19-year-old from Exeter posted a time of 14:39.56 at the London Diamond League meeting on Saturday, breaking Zola Budd's mark by more than eight-and-a-half seconds that had stood for 40 years. The run put her fifth on the UK all-time list and is good enough to qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo next month. The two-time European Under-20 cross country champion will be selected if she finishes in the top two at the upcoming British Championships and could still get a discretionary selection if she were not to make the top two. "I'm going to go out there and just run to get in those top two spots," Fitzgerald told BBC Spotlight. "I don't want to push it too early and then find that I lose out because I've pushed it too early or blown up a bit. "Just trying to get in those top two spots I think that's the main thing, second wouldn't be a bad run, but obviously I'd love to win and having a British title to my name would be amazing." With the Olympic Games in Los Angeles still three years away there is still plenty of time for Fitzgerald to improve. Under the guidance of former Great Britain runner Jo Pavey and her husband Gavin, Fitzgerald has gradually moved up the ranks over the past few years. She is currently the second-fastest British woman over 5,000m this year behind reigning UK champion Hannah Nuttall and her latest personal best has pushed her to 33rd in the world. "I think the sky's the limit in terms of what we're doing," the sports science student at Exeter University says. "It's nice to see the improvements - on Saturday at the Diamond League it was great to get the time. "We kind of went into the season with not too much expectation. We knew I could run well and getting that world qualifying time was the main aim. "If I came away from the race having put everything in and still not coming out with the time, that wasn't necessarily a bad run, it would have still probably been a PB. "It's a privilege to be put up there with some of those best in the world, and especially Zola Budd who ran extremely well 40 years ago, it just shows how things take time to move on and it's nice to kind of put my name against hers." 'I wish it wasn't in Japan' But should Fitzgerald be selected for Tokyo later this summer it will come with mixed feelings. An ardent climate change campaigner she was named Young Athlete of the Year in the 2023 BBC Green Sports Awards after she declined the chance to compete in that year's World Cross County Championships in Australia due to the environmental impact her flight around the world would have. But she says he has reconciled the need for her to compete on a global stage with the opportunity to raise environmental concerns. "I hate flying and that's kind of the end of it, but sometimes there are decisions you've got to make and competitions you've got to go to," she said. "Ultimately if I go and do well it will help to raise my platform anyway and I can then speak to a broader audience about the things I care about and the issues about the climate. "I wish it wasn't in Japan, as much as it's amazing to go to a World Championships, you've always got to have that in the back of your mind and as long as you're conscious and still talking about things I think it's okay. "No one can ever be perfect and I think when I didn't fly to Australia it was a big move and actually the media that came off the back of that helped to amplify the story. "Whereas I think now I've got a bit of a platform just talking about it when I do go and saying 'look we don't want to be doing this but we have to' I think it's important."
BBC News
25-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Fitzgerald aims for Tokyo after breaking Budd's record
Innes Fitzgerald says she is aiming to make the Great Britain team for the World Athletics Championships after breaking the European Under-20 5,000m 19-year-old from Exeter posted a time of 14:39.56 at the London Diamond League meeting on Saturday, breaking Zola Budd's mark by more than eight-and-a-half seconds that had stood for 40 years. The run put her fifth on the UK all-time list and is good enough to qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo next month. The two-time European Under-20 cross country champion will be selected if she finishes in the top two at the upcoming British Championships and could still get a discretionary selection if she were not to make the top two. "I'm going to go out there and just run to get in those top two spots," Fitzgerald told BBC Spotlight. "I don't want to push it too early and then find that I lose out because I've pushed it too early or blown up a bit."Just trying to get in those top two spots I think that's the main thing, second wouldn't be a bad run, but obviously I'd love to win and having a British title to my name would be amazing." With the Olympic Games in Los Angeles still three years away there is still plenty of time for Fitzgerald to the guidance of former Great Britain runner Jo Pavey and her husband Gavin, Fitzgerald has gradually moved up the ranks over the past few is currently the second-fastest British woman over 5,000m this year behind reigning UK champion Hannah Nuttall and her latest personal best has pushed her to 33rd in the world. "I think the sky's the limit in terms of what we're doing," the sports science student at Exeter University says."It's nice to see the improvements - on Saturday at the Diamond League it was great to get the time."We kind of went into the season with not too much expectation. We knew I could run well and getting that world qualifying time was the main aim."If I came away from the race having put everything in and still not coming out with the time, that wasn't necessarily a bad run, it would have still probably been a PB."It's a privilege to be put up there with some of those best in the world, and especially Zola Budd who ran extremely well 40 years ago, it just shows how things take time to move on and it's nice to kind of put my name against hers." 'I wish it wasn't in Japan' But should Fitzgerald be selected for Tokyo later this summer it will come with mixed feelings. An ardent climate change campaigner she was named Young Athlete of the Year in the 2023 BBC Green Sports Awards after she declined the chance to compete in that year's World Cross County Championships in Australia due to the environmental impact her flight around the world would have. But she says he has reconciled the need for her to compete on a global stage with the opportunity to raise environmental concerns."I hate flying and that's kind of the end of it, but sometimes there are decisions you've got to make and competitions you've got to go to," she said."Ultimately if I go and do well it will help to raise my platform anyway and I can then speak to a broader audience about the things I care about and the issues about the climate."I wish it wasn't in Japan, as much as it's amazing to go to a World Championships, you've always got to have that in the back of your mind and as long as you're conscious and still talking about things I think it's okay."No one can ever be perfect and I think when I didn't fly to Australia it was a big move and actually the media that came off the back of that helped to amplify the story."Whereas I think now I've got a bit of a platform just talking about it when I do go and saying 'look we don't want to be doing this but we have to' I think it's important."
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Drinking THIS juice lowers blood pressure, even in older adults
Beetroot juice may help manage high blood pressure. A recent study shows it lowers blood pressure in older adults. Researchers at Exeter University found beetroot juice changes the oral microbiome. This effect is due to nitrate in beetroot. Nitrate converts to nitric oxide, which helps blood vessel function. The study suggests nitrate-rich foods benefit older adults' vascular health. 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.
Scottish Sun
23-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
The £1.80 juice that ‘lowers your blood pressure – slashing risk of killer heart attack and stroke'
Scroll down to find out other foods that can help BEET IT The £1.80 juice that 'lowers your blood pressure – slashing risk of killer heart attack and stroke' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A VEGETABLE juice available in supermarkets can lower your blood pressure by killing bad mouth bacteria, a study found. About one in three Brits have high blood pressure, raising their risk of heart disease, strokes and dementia. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Millions of people in the UK have high blood pressure (stock image) Credit: Alamy Millions take medication to reduce the danger but your diet can also help. Researchers at Exeter University found that nitrates in beetroot juice can maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the mouth and gut in older patients. People in their 60s and 70s saw a decrease in blood pressure after two weeks of drinking two shots of juice per day. They used juice concentrate shots that cost about £1.80 each and are equal to a pint of pressed juice, costing about £1.65. Nitrate from the juice increases the body's production of nitric oxide, which helps blood vessels to relax and regulates blood pressure. Veg alternatives if you don't like beetroot Study author Professor Anni Vanhatalo said: 'We know that a nitrate-rich diet has health benefits and older people produce less of their own nitric oxide as they age. '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.' The study, published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine, compared the effects in 39 under-30s and 36 pensioners in their 60s and 70s. Both age groups had a 'significant' change in the balance of bacteria in their mouths. What is high blood pressure and what is a normal reading? Experts increasingly believe the balance of bugs in our mouth and gut has a huge influence on overall health. Beetroot juice did not have the same blood pressure lowering effect on younger participants. Older people saw an increase in health-boosting bacteria Neisseria, and a decrease in a bug called Prevotella. This in turn led to a decrease in blood pressure readings. Dr Lee Beniston, of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, 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. 'It opens up new opportunities for improving vascular health through nutrition.'
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The £1.80 juice that ‘lowers your blood pressure – slashing risk of killer heart attack and stroke'
A VEGETABLE juice available in supermarkets can lower your blood pressure by killing bad mouth bacteria, a study found. About one in three Brits have high blood pressure, raising their risk of heart disease, strokes and dementia. 1 Millions take medication to reduce the danger but your diet can also help. Researchers at Exeter University found that nitrates in beetroot juice can maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the mouth and gut in older patients. People in their 60s and 70s saw a decrease in blood pressure after two weeks of drinking two shots of juice per day. They used juice concentrate shots that cost about £1.80 each and are equal to a pint of pressed juice, costing about £1.65. Nitrate from the juice increases the body's production of nitric oxide, which helps blood vessels to relax and regulates blood pressure. Veg alternatives if you don't like beetroot Study author Professor Anni Vanhatalo said: 'We know that a nitrate-rich diet has health benefits and older people produce less of their own nitric oxide as they age. '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.' The study, published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine, compared the effects in 39 under-30s and 36 pensioners in their 60s and 70s. Both age groups had a 'significant' change in the balance of bacteria in their mouths. What is high blood pressure and what is a normal reading? Experts increasingly believe the balance of bugs in our mouth and gut has a huge influence on overall health. Beetroot juice did not have the same blood pressure lowering effect on younger participants. Older people saw an increase in health-boosting bacteria Neisseria, and a decrease in a bug called Prevotella. This in turn led to a decrease in blood pressure readings. Dr Lee Beniston, of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, 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. 'It opens up new opportunities for improving vascular health through nutrition.' How to lower blood pressure Persistent high blood pressure (hypertension) puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs and it can raise your risk of serious conditions like heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. Here's how to reduce it. Reduce salt Adults are recommended to limit their salt to 6g per day (around one level teaspoon) to avoid health consequences including high blood pressure. The top tip is to swap out table salt, according to the Salt Substitute and Stroke Study, replacing it with a reduced sodium and added potassium alternative. Cut down on alcohol Excessive boozing can narrow the blood vessels, which raises the risk of hypertension. Official drinking guidelines advise that people should not regularly drink more than 14 units a week to keep health risks from alcohol low. Get moving Exercise is good for the heart and the blood vessels. Although the guidelines recommend 150 minutes of activity per week, if you're currently very inactive, just a walk to the shop every day is better than nothing, and you can work up from there. Studies suggest that isometric exercises - when you hold the body in one position without moving, such as a wall squat or plank - are best for lowering blood pressure. Stop smoking Smoking cigarettes is a killer. It makes the arteries sticky and narrow, which can cause blockages. While smoking is not a direct cause of high blood pressure, it can cause an instant rise to pressure, heart rate and reduce the amount of oxygen that gets to the body's cells. Skip coffee Sadly, caffeine can cause a short, but dramatic increase in your blood pressure - even if you don't have high blood pressure. Therefore cutting back on coffee is recommended as a lifestyle tip for those with hypertension. Lose weight The above tips can help you to lose weight, which is beneficial because being overweight in itself is a risk factor for hypertension. Being overweight forces your heart to work harder to pump blood around your body, which can raise your blood pressure. The only way of knowing whether you have high blood pressure is to have a blood pressure test. All adults over 40 years old are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every five years.
