Healthy Juice Proven Effective in Lowering Blood Pressure in the Elderly

Healthy Juice Proven Effective in Lowering Blood Pressure in the Elderly
Healthy Juice Proven Effective in Lowering Blood Pressure in the Elderly
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Exeter has found that a nitrate-rich juice may help reduce blood pressure in older adults, thanks to specific changes in their oral microbiome.اضافة اعلان

The study suggests that dietary nitrates—primarily consumed through vegetables such as beetroot—are converted in the mouth into nitric oxide, a vital compound that helps regulate blood pressure and maintain vascular health, according to Russia Today.

The study involved 75 participants: 39 younger adults under 30 and 36 older adults in their 60s and 70s. Participants consumed both a nitrate-rich beetroot juice and a placebo version, with washout periods in between. The researchers used gene sequencing techniques to analyze changes in the oral microbiome before and after each phase.

Older participants drank two doses of concentrated beetroot juice daily for two weeks, resulting in a significant drop in their blood pressure. In contrast, the younger group saw no similar effect.

Researchers attribute this difference to beetroot juice's ability to alter the bacterial balance in the mouth—reducing harmful bacteria like Prevotella and increasing beneficial ones like Neisseria. This healthier microbial environment improves the efficiency of nitrate conversion into nitric oxide.

Professor Anni Vanhatalo, lead author of the study, explained:
"As people age, their bodies produce less nitric oxide, contributing to higher blood pressure and cardiovascular complications. Encouraging older adults to consume nitrate-rich vegetables could offer substantial health benefits."

Co-author Professor Andy Jones noted that the study opens new avenues for understanding how diet, lifestyle, and biological sex influence cardiovascular health.

Dr. Lee Beniston of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council praised the study, highlighting its role in uncovering links between diet, the microbiome, and healthy aging. He emphasized the potential of nutrition to improve vascular health.

It’s worth noting that nitrate-rich alternatives are not limited to beetroot; spinach, arugula, fennel, celery, and kale are also excellent options for those seeking to enhance their health without relying solely on beetroot juice.