Beetroot juice found to lower blood pressure in older adults: Researchers say

The University of Exeter has recently published new research showing a daily intake of beetroot juice may lower blood pressure in elderly people. According to the investigation, the dietary nitrates found in beetroot are converted to nitric oxide in the body, which is a molecule that opens blood vessels and helps the circulation of the blood—this effect is mostly for people over the age of 60.

The research consisted of 75 healthy volunteers split into the group of younger adults under 30 and the group of older adults over 60. Over several weeks, all participants consumed beetroot juice rich in nitrates. Scientists noticed blood pressure reductions in the older group only. Thus, it is probable that the age factor has a vital role in the human body reaction to dietary nitrates.

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One of the things the researchers were most interested in was the bacteria in the mouth. In particular, the body needs good bacteria in the mouth that convert nitrates from food into nitric oxide. The study discovered that in older adults, consumption of beetroot juice changed the mix of oral bacteria, as the good bacteria increased and the bad ones, which are related to inflammation, went down. The participants who used antiseptic mouthwash had the blood pressure saving effect come to an end, corroborating the idea that the oral microbiome is the key player in blood pressure reduction.