Latest news with #beetrootjuice
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
This £1.80 juice can reduce your chances of having a heart attack... but could YOU stomach it?
Drinking just two shots of beetroot juice a day could help to lower blood pressure—a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. An intriguing new study found that people in their 70s who added the vibrant juice to their daily diet for a period of two weeks saw their originally high blood pressure drop to within the healthy range. The researchers, from the University of Exeter, also found that the nitrate-rich shots were beneficial for young people too, boosting levels of healthy bacteria in the mouth in under-30s. Speaking of the findings, study lead Professor Anni Vanhatalo urged older adults to incorporate more nitrate-rich vegetables into their diet—whether that's beetroot, spinach, rocket, celery or kale. '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 researchers believe nitrate-rich vegetables like beetroot may help boost the levels of beneficial bacteria in the mouth and gut, which are thought to be helpful in clearing harmful cholesterol from the blood, lowering blood pressure. When nitrates enter the body they are converted into nitric oxide—a compound which can relax blood vessels, reducing the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is essential for various bodily functions. An excess of 'bad' cholesterol—known as LDL—has long been linked with serious health problems including heart attacks and strokes. This is because LDL can form plaques that build up and block arteries, limiting the supply of blood to and from the heart. An estimated 6.3 million people in the UK are thought to suffer from the condition, which left untreated can increase the risk of heart disease. In the six-week study, nine adults in their 70s and nine young adults under 22 were analysed to see how introducing concentrated beetroot juice to their daily diets affected their health. Participants underwent two 10-day dietary supplementation periods where they were randomly assigned either beetroot shots or a placebo supplement. Blood samples and blood pressure was measured at the start of the study and on days eight to ten of each trial to track nitric oxide levels. On one of these days, researchers also assessed arterial stiffness, a key indicator of low nitric oxide levels. Saliva samples were also collected on each visit. At the end of the study, the older adults experienced a significant drop in blood pressure, but the same effect was not observed in the younger cohort. Drinking beetroot juice was also associated with a reduction of harmful bacteria, called prevotella, which have been linked with an increased risk of death in older people. Results also showed an increase of healthy bacteria belonging to Neisseria, which help to produce nitrites, boosting heart health. Dr Lee Beniston, from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, who was not involved in the current study, said the study opens up new opportunities for improving heart health through nutrition. He added: 'This research is a great example of how bioscience can help us better understand the complex links between diet, the microbiome and healthy ageing.' An estimated 270 people are admitted to hospital with a heart attack each day in the UK according to the British Heart Foundation. About 175,000 Britons die from heart and circulatory diseases each year in the UK, equivalent to 480 per day and more than the city of Oxford. It comes as promising new research has suggested that the nutrient packed shot could help reduce dementia risk, by boosting blood supply to the brain. Researchers also from the University of Exeter, found that adults with 'healthy brain function' had higher levels of the ion nitrite in their mouths. Bacteria in the mouth convert nitrates into nitrites — meaning nitrate-rich beetroot could help raise levels of nitrites. Research has also previously suggested beetroot can both lower blood pressure and even inhibit certain chemical reactions in the brain that are involved in the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
The Independent
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Why over-60s should be drinking more beetroot juice
A new study from the University of Exeter suggests that beetroot juice can lower blood pressure in individuals aged 60 and above. The research indicates that dietary nitrates in beetroot juice alter the oral microbiome, suppressing potentially harmful bacteria and increasing beneficial ones. This process leads to the conversion of nitrates into nitric oxide, which helps relax and widen blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure. The two-week study involved participants drinking nitrate-rich beetroot juice, with older adults showing a decrease in blood pressure and beneficial changes to their oral bacteria. Experts highlight that encouraging older adults to consume more nitrate-rich vegetables, such as spinach, rocket, or kale, could offer significant long-term health benefits.
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.
The Independent
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Beetroot juice ‘lowers older people's blood pressure by changing mouth bacteria'
Beetroot juice lowers blood pressure in older people by suppressing potentially harmful bacteria in the mouth, a study suggests. Experts at the University of Exeter compared the responses of younger adults and older adults to beetroot juice, which is rich in dietary nitrates. These nitrates are converted by the body into nitric oxide, which helps to relax and widen blood vessels and lower blood pressure. The study included 39 adults under the age of 30, and 36 people in their 60s and 70s. For two weeks, each group were given shots of beetroot juice. After a two-week break, during which people were given anti-septic mouthwash everyday, the groups were then given a placebo juice with the nitrate stripped out for a fortnight. Researchers used gene sequencing to analyse the bacteria present in the mouth after each part of the trial. In both groups, the so-called oral microbiome – the complex ecosystem of microorganisms in the mouth – changed after drinking the nitrate-rich juice, although the effects differed. In older people, there was a decline in common bacteria that can sometimes cause infections, and an increase in bacteria that can benefit health. Researchers also found the older group had decreased blood pressure after drinking the nitrate-rich juice for two weeks. Professor Andy Jones, of the University of Exeter, said: '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.' Professor Anni Vanhatalo, of the University of Exeter, added: '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.' The study, published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine, was funded by a BBSRC Industrial Partnership Award. Dr Lee Beniston, associate director for industry partnerships and collaborative research and development at BBSRC, 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.'
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Performance Scientist Reveals Top Legal Performance Hack
At some point, every athlete hits that shift from newbie to intermediate. Your muscles aren't growing like they used to, but you're stronger than ever. You've found your rhythm, and a few miles in, your breathing's smooth and steady. Still, we live in a world obsessed with the next big fitness breakthrough. Whether it's a new protein powder for gains or pre-workout for that mental edge, there's always something promising better performance. But according to a top longevity expert, there's one supplement you're probably overlooking—beetroot juice—and it could seriously level up the way you is rich in dietary nitrates, naturally occurring compounds found in various foods that convert into nitric oxide in the body. Once in the body, it relaxes and widens blood vessels, which can improve blood flow, deliver more oxygen to your blood, and improve efficiency. "We've used a ton of different forms over the years," Andy Galpin, Ph.D., CSCS*D, NSCA-CPT*D, the executive director of the Human Performance Center at Parker University, said in an interview with Dr. Rhonda Patrick. "It's great because it's not a stimulant, so you can take it in the evenings and it doesn't compromise sleep. We will use it a lot for our individuals who are either exercising at night or training multiple times per day, and their stimulants come in the morning, but they still have high fatigue." Because beetroot juice boosts nitric oxide levels and improves blood flow and oxygen efficiency, it can give you more stamina, better endurance, and potentially faster recovery. There's some debate on how to take beetroot—powder or juice? According to Galpin, it doesn't really matter. What does matter is when you take it. And fair warning: It may not be as intense as caffeine, but you'll definitely feel it within minutes. 'Like caffeine, you're going to have a pretty acute effect,' he says. 'Some people are going to metabolize it faster, some people slower. So it's not a short-lasting thing—it'll be there for quite some time. If you're going to use it for performance benefits, whether it's in the podcast room, in the weight room, or dealing with the assembly at your kid's school…right before would be the time to go about it.' Performance Scientist Reveals Top Legal Performance Hack first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 24, 2025
