Health gurus are pointing to a specific 'superfood' as a key factor in fighting high blood pressure following conclusive research results.
Research shows that consistently drinking 250ml of beetroot juice every day can dramatically lower blood pressure levels, with people seeing positive results in just four weeks. What's more, it turns out that after people stopped drinking the juice, their blood pressure rose back to baseline.
According to the Times, experts from Queen Mary University of London have found that beets are a treasure trove of inorganic dietary nitrates. These nitrates, which are converted to nitrites and then to nitric oxide, have a relaxing effect on the blood vessels. Thus, beets become a strong contender for regulating blood pressure and strengthening heart health.
In the university-led study, participants who had or were at high risk of hypertension were asked to consume one drink a day for a month. Half of the participants were given a dose of beetroot juice and the other half a placebo, which did not differ in appearance or taste. After completing the study described in Hypertension, those who received the real drink reported a drop in blood pressure to "normal" ranges.
Yet, two weeks into the study, after they stopped taking beetroot juice, the participants noticed that their blood pressure had risen back to their old highs. This suggests that in order to achieve a lasting effect, a constant consumption of nitrates is required.
Underscoring the importance of beets in our diet, Dr Linia Patels explains: “Eating beets or other nitrate-rich foods such as green leafy vegetables, fennel and pumpkin will also increase your intake. Some people prefer beetroot shots as they are a concentrated source of nitrates.'
Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King's College London, recently expressed his belief in the extraordinary merits of beets for improving blood circulation.
According to Professor Spector, beetroot provides numerous health benefits due to its polyphenol content, which helps reduce inflammation, and nitrates, vital for improving blood flow by dilating blood vessels, making it useful for athletic performance and controlling high blood pressure .
Spector also emphasized the historical appeal of vegetables.
"Beets were a favorite symbol in Roman brothels. It has very good health properties. They contain a protective polyphenol chemical called betaine, which is unique and really helpful for inflammation. And they contain precursors of nitric oxide, which is a gas important for change in our blood vessels," the professor said.
Health guru Michael Moseley, who died earlier this year, once described beets as an "energy" vegetable, citing their enormous health benefits.
"Beets are particularly rich in nitrates. Nitrates are converted by bacteria in the saliva to nitric oxide, and of course this leads to dilation of the blood vessels and therefore more blood flow to the extremities," Moseley claims.
"Love it or hate it, this beetroot has been proven in clinical studies to be an effective way to lower blood pressure and also improve athletic performance. It's also full of antioxidants that reduce inflammation, making it ideal for anyone concerned about heart health," the guru adds. | BGNES
