Beetroot Juice May lower Blood Pressure in Older Adults Through Gut-Mouth Connection, Study Finds

London, United Kingdom – A groundbreaking study has revealed a potential new clarification for why beetroot juice effectively lowers blood pressure in older adults. Researchers at a leading university have discovered that the benefits may stem from specific alterations in the oral microbiome,marking the largest examination of its kind to date. The findings were recently published in the esteemed journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine.

The Nitrate-Blood Pressure Link and Age-Related Differences

Previous research has consistently demonstrated that diets rich in nitrates – naturally abundant in vegetables – can contribute to reduced blood pressure, a key factor in mitigating the risk of heart disease. However, the mechanisms behind this effect haven’t always been clear. This new research highlights a crucial difference between younger and older individuals. While both groups experienced changes in their oral microbiome after consuming concentrated beetroot juice, only the older cohort saw a significant drop in blood pressure.

How the Oral Microbiome Plays a Role

The study suggests that an imbalance in oral bacteria can hinder the conversion of nitrate into nitric oxide, a molecule vital for healthy blood vessel function and blood pressure regulation. Researchers found that consuming nitrate-rich beetroot juice appeared to suppress harmful bacteria in the mouths of older adults while together promoting the growth of beneficial strains.

Professor Anni Vanhatalo,the lead author of the study from the University of Exeter,explained,”We no that a nitrate-rich diet has health benefits,and older people produce less of their own nitric oxide as they age. This decline, coupled with a tendency towards higher blood pressure, can increase the risk of cardiovascular issues.Encouraging older adults to increase their intake of nitrate-rich vegetables could have significant long-term health benefits.”

Study Details and Methodology

The rigorous study involved 75 participants: 39 adults under the age of 30 and 36 adults in their 60s and 70s. Recruited through the NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility, participants underwent a carefully controlled trial involving two weeks of consuming concentrated beetroot juice and two weeks of a placebo version with the nitrate removed. A two-week “wash out” period was included between conditions to ensure accurate results. The research team utilized advanced bacterial gene sequencing to analyse changes in the oral microbiome before and after each phase of the trial.

Professor Andy jones, a co-author of the study, added, “This study shows that nitrate-rich foods alter the oral microbiome in a way that could result in less inflammation, as well as a lowering of blood pressure in older people. this paves the way for larger studies to explore the influence of lifestyle factors and biological sex in how people respond to dietary nitrate supplementation.”

Dr. Lee Beniston, from BBSRC, emphasized the study’s significance, stating, “This research is a great example of how bioscience can definitely help us better understand the complex links between diet, the microbiome and healthy ageing… BBSRC is proud to have supported this innovative partnership between academic researchers and industry to advance knowledge with real-world benefits.”

Does this new research change how you think about incorporating more vegetables into your diet? Share your thoughts in the comments below!