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Beetroot juice reduces blood pressure

26 September 2011

Evidence that “Beetroot juice” helps to reduce blood pressure

Exciting research conducted by the Queen Mary University of London demonstrates the natural blood pressure lowering effects of beetroot. The recent study, which was published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension, demonstrates that beetroot juice is equally effective in reducing blood pressure as inorganic nitrate tablets. The randomized, crossover investigation conducted on healthy volunteers, demonstrated the reduction of blood pressure within 24 hours.

Study author Amrita Ahluwalia, Professor of Vascular Biology at Queen Mary’s William Harvey Research Institute, stated that nitrate found in beetroot juice, was the cause of its beneficial effects upon cardiovascular health by increasing the levels of the gas nitric oxide in the circulation. Noxide is a chemical within the body which helps to dilate blood vessels therefore reducing blood pressure.

Recent animal studies have also demonstrated the long term efficacy of capsaicin, (the natural chemical which creates the heat in chillis) in reducing blood pressure. In addition to these, further animal studies have reviewed the high intake of fresh vegetables and fruit which promote the production of nitric oxide, illustrating that these may also be effective in reducing blood pressure. Scientific reviewers confer that this research provides further evidence on the importance of a nutritious diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruit to decrease blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular disease risk, one of the biggest killers in our western society.