Study Finds Beet Juice Beneficially Alters Oral Bacterial Environment
Research has shown that beet juice is effective in lowering blood pressure and improving vascular health among older adults who are at higher risk of hypertension. This is because the nitrates found in beets beneficially alter the bacterial environment in the mouth.
According to Science Daily and other U.S. science media outlets on September 4 (local time), researchers at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom recently published the results of a study comparing the effects of beet juice consumption in younger and older adults in the international journal 'Free Radical Biology and Medicine.'
The research team conducted a two-week experiment involving 39 participants aged 18 to 30 and 36 participants aged 67 to 79. The participants drank two 70ml glasses of beet juice per day for two weeks. After a break period, they then consumed juice from which the main natural component, nitrate, had been removed, also for two weeks.
The results showed that drinking nitrate-rich beet juice led to a significant decrease in blood pressure among the older group. In these older participants, levels of the bacteria Prevotella, which is associated with increased blood pressure, decreased, while levels of Neisseria, a bacterium beneficial for vascular health, increased.
When participants drank juice with the nitrates removed, their blood pressure did not decrease. Among the younger group, whose average blood pressure was lower than that of the older group, drinking beet juice also did not result in a reduction in blood pressure.
Anni Vanhatalo, a professor at the University of Exeter who led the study, emphasized, "As people age, the body produces less nitric oxide on its own, which makes it easier for blood pressure to rise. Consuming more nitrate-rich vegetables such as beets, spinach, arugula, celery, and kale can bring significant long-term cardiovascular benefits."
Co-author Andy Jones, also a professor at the University of Exeter, stated, "This study demonstrates that nitrate-rich foods can alter the oral microbiome, reduce inflammation in older adults, and help lower blood pressure."
However, it is important to note that excessive consumption of beets may cause side effects.
Experts point out that while beet juice is high in nitrates, which help dilate blood vessels and improve blood circulation-thereby lowering blood pressure-it can be risky for people with low blood pressure or those taking antihypertensive medication.
Additionally, beets contain oxalic acid, which can bind with calcium and other substances in the body and potentially cause kidney stones. Therefore, individuals with a history of kidney-related conditions should consult a healthcare professional before consuming beets.
Meanwhile, actress Go So-young has also revealed that she drinks beet juice for vascular health. In a recent video titled "Go So-young's Beet Story" on her YouTube channel 'Baro Geu Go So-young,' she shared a variety of recipes, including beet pickles, beet remoulade, and beet juice.
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