(GoHealthier.com)

This Vegetable KILLS High Blood Pressure

Hypertension, a commonly used term to describe high blood pressure, has been shown to be a factor in heart disease, strokes, and some forms of vascular disease.

Blood pressure refers to the amount of pressure that is exerted on the walls of your arteries from the heart pumping blood to the rest of your body.

There are many factors which play a role in raising blood pressure.

Dehydration, excessive sodium intake, the conditions of your kidneys, and other systems in your body (nervous system and blood vessels), and different levels of hormones in your body, all could negatively impact your blood pressure.

However, changing your diet to include more water, lower your sodium intake, and including nitrate-rich vegetables, could significantly alter your blood pressure – for the better.

In fact, nitrate-rich vegetables, like spinach, radishes, and beets, have been shown to break down by bacteria in your mouth and converted into nitrites and nitric oxide (NO).

Now, a new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, shows that beetroot juice, in different dosages, could display positive benefits for your blood pressure.

Let me explain…

Beetroot Juice and Blood Pressure

Researchers performed not one, but two randomized controlled, single blind, cross-over prospective studies on normotensive volunteers.

Normotensive refers to participants who, at the time of the study, had normal blood pressure (120/80).

The researchers took ambulatory blood pressure for 24 hours following consumption of beetroot juice or beetroot juice-enriched bread products.

The researchers looked at beetroot juice consumption of 0, 100, 250, and 500 grams.

They recorded blood pressure measurements at baseline, 2, 4, and 24 hours post-ingestion.

They noted that beetroot juice significantly lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in normotensive participants, compared to placebo group (water).

They also showed that beetroot juice-enriched bread products showed similar results by lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressure over a period of 24 hours.

They noted that the bread was enriched with 100 grams of beetroot juice compared to placebo group (bread not enriched with beetroot juice).

The researchers also noted a significant output of nitric oxide in the participant’s urine following 100 and 500 grams beetroot juice consumption.

From their research, they concluded that beetroot juice, at a low dose (100 grams) showed significant hypotensive effects.

They also concluded that their results further strengthen the relationship of nitrate-rich vegetables and cardio-protective effects they could have on blood pressure.

Beetroot Juice and Your Health

Beetroot, when consumed, goes through a four-step transformation to become nitric oxide.

Once ingested, beetroot juice could positively affect your arteries and capillary beds, which may promote healthy blood circulation.

Along with improve circulation beetroot juice, according to this study, could also possess cardio-protective benefits by reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

By including nitrate-rich foods, like spinach, carrots, beets, and beetroot juice, you could improve your heart health.

NEXT: The #1 Drink For Lowering Blood Pressure >>

Copyright 2024, GoHealthier.com