Resting blood pressure lowered by beetroot juice

08 Aug 2009 - Posted by the Editorial Team

Beetroot juice could be of benefit to hypertension patients after it was shown to lower resting blood pressure in people who had just exercised.

Researchers at the University of Exeter, UK, found that the nitrate in the juice caused a reduction in oxygen uptake, which allowed people to boost their stamina by 16 per cent.

A study involving eight men aged between 19 and 38 showed that they were able to cycle for an average of 11.25 minutes, which is 92 seconds longer than a placebo group who had drunk a blackcurrant cordial placebo.

It was also discovered that beetroot juice was capable of lowering blood pressure in the study group.

Study author Professor Andy Jones said the research was the first to link food rich in nitrates to improved endurance.

"We were amazed by the effects of beetroot juice on oxygen uptake because these effects cannot be achieved by any other known means, including training," he commented.

Beetroot is known to boost the feeling of well-being thanks to the presence of trytophan, which is also found in chocolate.

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