Beetroot Juice Lowers Blood Pressure in Older People by Changing Oral Microbiome

Carried out by researchers at the University of Exeter in the UK, this study found that drinking nitrate-rich beetroot juice lowers blood pressure in older adults by changing the balance of bacteria in the mouth. Published in the Free Radical Biology and Medicine journal, the trial compared the effects of beetroot juice in adults under 30 and those in their 60s and 70s. While previous studies have shown that dietary nitrate can reduce blood pressure, this study provides the strongest evidence yet that age-related differences in the oral microbiome play a key role in how the body converts dietary nitrate into beneficial nitric oxide — a compound essential for blood vessel health.

Over two weeks, participants drank either concentrated beetroot juice or a nitrate-free placebo. The older group, who started with higher average blood pressure, experienced a significant drop in their blood pressure after drinking the nitrate-rich juice – a change not observed in the younger group. Genetic analysis of oral bacteria revealed that the older participants experienced a decrease in potentially harmful bacteria and an increase in beneficial bacteria.

The researchers say these findings demonstrate the potential of diet to support healthy ageing. Since nitric oxide production naturally declines with age, increasing nitrate-rich vegetables like beetroot, spinach, rocket, and celery could offer a simple way to help improve cardiovascular health in older adults.

To check out Dr. Rath’s Cellular Health recommendations for high blood pressure, see this page on our website.