Back to blood pressure news index

Beetroot juice reduces blood pressure

A daily drink of 500ml (just over 2 cups) of beetroot juice can reduce blood pressure, a new study suggests.

Lead researcher Professor Ahluwalia told BBC News, "Our research suggests that drinking beetroot juice, or consuming other nitrate-rich vegetables, might be a simple way to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, and might also be an additional approach that one could take in the modern day battle against rising blood pressure."

The beetroot research

The UK researchers saw a reduction in blood pressure in volunteers after just 1 hour of drinking 500mls of beetroot juice. However, the reduction was more pronounced after 3 to 4 hours and up till 24 hours after drinking the juice.

Researchers believe that the nitrate in beetroot juice and most green leafy vegetables is converted by saliva in the mouth into nitrite. The nitrite containing saliva is swallowed and enters the blood stream and acts to reduce blood pressure.

When nitrite levels peaked in the blood, the researchers found the reduction in blood pressure was most significant.

The research published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension and showed beetroot juice can help reduce blood pressure levels.

Back to blood pressure news index

For further information on living with and controlling high blood pressure visit the Blood Pressure Home Monitoring Center.