Beet Juice Lowers Blood Pressure – Older Adults Study
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Beetroot Juice & Blood Pressure: Oral Microbiome Holds the Key for Older Adults
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New research from the University of Exeter suggests the blood pressure-lowering effects of beetroot juice are linked to changes in the oral microbiome, especially in older adults.the study, published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, offers insights into how dietary nitrate supplementation impacts vascular health.
Last updated: August 31, 2025, 11:57:24 AM PDT
the Study: How Beetroot Juice affects Blood Pressure
Researchers at the University of Exeter compared the responses of older and younger adults to a two-week regimen of concentrated beetroot juice. The study, funded by a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Industrial Partnership Award, revealed a meaningful blood pressure reduction in the older adult group, but not in the younger group. University of Exeter News
This finding builds upon previous research demonstrating the potential of a high-nitrate diet to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. Nitrate,naturally abundant in vegetables like beetroot,is a crucial component for overall health.
The Role of the Oral Microbiome
The study’s key finding centers on the oral microbiome – the community of bacteria living in the mouth. Researchers found that the beneficial effects of beetroot juice in older adults were likely due to a suppression of perhaps harmful bacteria. This suppression improved the conversion of nitrate into nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide plays a vital role in maintaining healthy blood vessels. An imbalance in the oral microbiome, with an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, can hinder this conversion process, reducing nitric oxide bioavailability and negatively impacting vascular function. The study suggests that restoring a healthy oral microbiome balance could enhance the effectiveness of nitrate supplementation.
Nitrate, Nitric Oxide, and Vascular Health: A Deeper Dive
Nitrate (NO3–) undergoes a two-step conversion process within the body to become nitric oxide (NO).First, oral bacteria convert nitrate to nitrite (NO2–). Then, nitrite is further converted to nitric oxide.nitric oxide is a signaling molecule that causes blood vessels to relax, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure.
Age-related changes in the oral microbiome can disrupt this process. Specifically, a decrease in beneficial bacteria and an increase in harmful bacteria can reduce nitrite production, leading to lower nitric oxide levels and impaired vascular function. This explains why older adults may benefit more from nitrate supplementation, as it helps overcome this age-related decline in nitrate conversion.
| Compound | Role |
|---|---|
| Nitrate (NO3 |