Beetroot Juice May Reduce Blood Pressure

Consuming beetroot juice may reduce blood pressure, according to a new study.

Beet is a flowering perennial plant that produces leaves and roots that are widely used as a food source in humans and animals. Beets are a source of vitamins A and C, iron, and other minerals, carotenoids and dietary fiber. Betalins are natural pigments (colors) in beets that account for the red color in beet stems and leaves. After eating beets, these pigments produce red or pink urine (called beeturia) in about 10-14 percent of people. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding feeding beets and other high-nitrate foods to infants younger than three months of age to avoid the risk of nitrate poisoning.

Human studies have tested the effects of beet on blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure levels. However, results are mixed. Early evidence suggests that sugar beet fiber may modestly lower systolic blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes. Additional research is warranted.

In a new study, researchers conducted two separate studies to evaluate the effects of beetroot juice on blood pressure. People with normal blood pressure levels were randomly assigned to drink 0 grams, 100 grams, 250 grams or 500 grams of beetroot juice; or to eat a control bread product containing no beetroot juice, a bread product containing 100 grams of red beetroot juice or a bread product containing 100 grams white beetroot juice. Blood pressure was measured over 24 hours and nitrate levels in the urine were measured before treatment and again two hours, four hours and 24 hours after treatment.

The researchers found that consuming beetroot juice was significantly linked to reduced blood pressure over the 24-hour period. The authors noted that the reduction in blood pressure was almost dependent on the amount of beetroot juice consumed. Additionally, the researchers found that consuming both the red and white beetroot juice bread products were significantly linked to reduced blood pressure. With the exception of the white beetroot bread, all beetroot juice and bread products significantly increased nitrate levels in the urine after consumption.

The authors concluded that small amounts of beetroot juice may reduce blood pressure. Larger-scale, well-designed clinical trials are needed to further evaluate these findings.

In addition to beets, many other foods have been evaluated for their potential effects on blood pressure. Numerous human studies report that garlic may lower blood pressure, and some studies have suggested that chocolate may lower blood pressure. More research is needed.

For more information about integrative therapies for high blood pressure, please visit Natural Standard's Comparative Effectiveness Database.

For more information about beets, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements Database.

Comments

[km]

This is a very interesting finding on a commonly consumed vegetable in many food cultures. Although larger sample size is needed in order to solidify the results and deduce any possible side effects from long term intake of beets. However, if confirmed to be safe and effective this would be a great alternative for those who cannot tolerate or want to use this as an adjunct to the standard treatment. It would also be interesting to see why there was a greater reduction of blood pressure in men as opposed to in women.

[ks]

It is very cool to see how natural products, even foods can be beneficial for lowering blood pressure. Many Americans suffer from hypertension and just simply take their medication and continue to eat the same foods and continue with the same routine thinking they will be fine since their blood pressure is controlled with a pill. I think it's important to education patients on the importance of diet and exercise as well. This is good information to give patients as a simple way to get some added benefits.

[DC]

A healthy way to reduce blood pressure. Beet root is an essential vegetable and as we know it already contains anti-oxidants and it is heart-friendly. This is a natural way to reduce the hypertension which many people will opt for.

[MW]

Blood pressure is such a common issue affecting people around the world. Even while on numerous prescription medications patients have a difficult time getting their BP under control. Often we don't look into dietary or herbal products to help get that BP down. It is nice to hear that beetroot juice can be an alternative or add-on option for patients with high BP.

[Fariza]

Since hypertension is highly prevalent, it is always nice to find new information regarding natural ways that may help lower blood pressure. Because of the modest reduction in blood pressure, this may be an option for individuals who are pre-hypertensive and are proactively trying to prevent hypertension. I wonder what a glass of beet juice tastes like; I'll have to give it a try!

[Cassie]

Very interesting article. I can remember being young and my mom forcing us to eat beets at the dinner table! The flavor was not great then but sounds like it might be worth it now, knowing that it is beneficial to keep blood pressure low.

[Jennifer Raquipo]

From this article and reading all these comments, beets sound remarkable.

I looked up more about beets and found this article below, showing sugar beet fiber providing some benefit in control an individuals blood sugar:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/pubmed/9505164?dopt=Abstract

[Empire Bakuba]

Beet roots contain nitrate which has vasodilatory actions which help reduce blood pressure. Vasodilation is the process where arteries open, thus increasing blood flow but also reducing pressure. For information read this study http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22414688

[Virginia]

The fact that the amount of blood pressure lowering was directly proportional to the amount of beet ingested makes me thing that it could actually be the cause! Thanks for this post. Very interesting!

[Marina]

This is really fascinating to me, beets was always just something I used in soups and salads and now to find out that beets have blood pressure lowering effects! I wonder what the duration of the effects are?

This article also talks about the blood pressure lowering effects of nitrates: http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/news/20061227/nitrates-lower-blood-pressure

The nitrate topic makes me think of conventional medicines such as isosorbide dinitrate which are used for angina but also lower blood pressure, and might have similar active constituents as beets? http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=7ec5ba03-6164-4199-a333-7cd8d7c75e17#nlm34067-9

[Abdulrahman Koshak]

One point that I want to elaborate on is that Beetroot contains high amount of iron. Traditionally, it is always recommended to eat beetroot for those who suffer from iron deficiency anemia.