Beetroot Compounds for Healthy Blood Pressure

Beetroot contains a number of compounds that by previous studies are reported to exert cardiovascular benefits, including vitamins C and K, folate, fiber, and polyphenols. Beetroot is also high in nitrates, and in a form that is readily bioavailable to the body. Julie A. Lovegrove, from The University of Reading. United Kingdom), and colleagues studied 18 men with normal blood pressure, each of whom was randomly assigned to consume zero, 100, 250, or 500 g of beetroot juice in a single-blind, cross-over trial. After three hours, the subjects who consumed 100 g of beetroot juice exhibited systolic blood pressure reduction of13 mm Hg and diastolic reduction of 16.6 mmHg ; those who consumed 500 g of beetroot juice exhibited systolic blood pressure reduction of 22 mmHg and diastolic reduction of 18mmHg. the study authors conclude that: "These data strengthen the evidence for cardioprotective [blood pressure] effects of dietary nitrate-rich vegetables.”