Experts are championing the daily consumption of a particular ‘superfood’ to combat high blood pressure after dramatic test results. Scientists found that drinking a 250ml glass of beetroot juice every day can significantly lower blood pressure, with test subjects experiencing normalised levels within just four weeks.
Interestingly, when participants stopped consuming the juice, their blood pressure reverted back to its original state. The Times reported that researchers at Queen Mary University of London discovered that beetroot is rich in inorganic dietary nitrates.
These nitrates are converted by the body into nitrite and then nitric oxide, which relaxes and widens blood vessels. This makes beetroot a powerful tool for managing blood pressure and promoting cardiovascular health.
In the study conducted by the university, patients diagnosed with or at risk of hypertension were asked to consume a daily drink for four weeks. Half of the group was given beetroot juice, while the other half received a placebo that looked and tasted identical.
By the end of the trial, published in Hypertension, those who drank the beetroot juice saw a decrease in blood pressure that brought them back into the “normal” range.
However, two weeks after the study concluded, when participants had ceased drinking the beetroot juice, their blood pressure returned to its previous high levels. This suggests that maintaining a consistent intake of nitrates is necessary for long-term benefits.
Emphasising the importance of beetroots in our diet, Dr Linia Patels explained: “Eating beetroot or other nitrate-rich foods such as leafy greens, fennel and pumpkin will also increase intake. Some people prefer beetroot shots because they are a concentrated source of nitrates.”
Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London and co-founder of Zoe, recently took to social media to express his belief in the extraordinary merits of beetroot for improving circulation.
According to Prof Spector, beetroot provides multiple health benefits due to its content of polyphenol, which helps reduce inflammation, and nitrates vital for enhancing blood flow by widening blood vessels, thereby making it beneficial for athletic performance and high blood pressure control.
Prof Spector also highlighted the vegetables’ historical appeal, saying: “Beetroot was the favourite symbol in Roman brothels. They have lots of good health properties. They contain a defence chemical polyphenol called betaine, which is quite unique and is really good for inflammation. And they contain the precursors of nitric oxide, which is a gas that is important for the change in our blood vessels.”
Health guru Michael Mosley, who sadly passed away earlier this year, once labelled beetroots as ‘powerhouse’ vegetables, indicating their immense health benefits. He said: “Beetroots are particularly rich in nitrates. The nitrates are converted by the bacteria in your saliva into nitric oxide and of course that causes the expansion in your blood vessels and therefore greater blood flow to your extremities.
“Love it or hate it, this purple powerhouse has been shown in clinical trials to be an effective way to reduce blood pressure and also improve athletic performance. It’s also packed with inflammation-reducing anti oxidants making it ideal for anyone concerned about heart health.”
