Beetroot Juice Lowers Blood Pressure

A new study suggests that drinking beetroot juice can help lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.

Beets are a source of vitamins A and C, iron, and other minerals, carotenoids, and dietary fiber. Beets can also increase nitric oxide in the body, which can affect blood vessels.

In a recent study, researchers evaluated the effects of nitrate on blood pressure in people with high blood pressure when consumed in the diet. Sixty-eight people with high blood pressure were randomly assigned to drink 250 mL of beetroot juice containing nitrate or 250 mL of a nitrate-free beetroot juice control drink daily for 4 weeks. The change in blood pressure was evaluated as the main outcome measure.

The researchers found that daily supplementation of beetroot juice containing nitrate was associated with a reduction in blood pressure. Blood pressure measurements were taken by three different methods. Blood pressure measurements taken at home were reduced by 8.1/3.8 mm Hg throughout the 4 week treatment period. Arterial stiffness was also reduced.

The authors concluded that daily nitrate consumption in the diet can play a role in treating high blood pressure and is readily-available and cost-effective. Additional research is warranted

For information about beets, please visit Natural Standard’s Food, Herbs & Supplements Database.

For information about integrative therapies for high blood pressure, please visit Natural Standard’s Comparative Effectiveness Database.

References

1. Kapil V, Khambata RS, Robertson A, et al. Dietary Nitrate Provides Sustained Blood Pressure Lowering in Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized, Phase 2, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Hypertension. 2014 Nov 24.
2. Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine.