Beetroot Juice and Its Impact on Blood Pressure and Oral Microbiome in Older Adults

Recent research from the University of Exeter has unveiled an intriguing link between beetroot juice consumption and blood pressure regulation in older adults. The study, published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, suggests that drinking nitrate-rich beetroot juice can significantly lower blood pressure in seniors, primarily by altering their oral microbiome.

The clinical trial involved 36 adults in their 60s and 70s and a control group of 39 individuals under 30. Participants consumed a concentrated beetroot juice shot twice daily for two weeks, followed by a two-week period of placebo intake with nitrate stripped out. Blood pressure measurements taken before and after these periods revealed a notable decrease in systolic blood pressure among the older participants after nitrate-rich juice intake, whereas the younger group showed no such change.

The key mechanism behind this effect appears to be changes in the oral microbiome. Analysis using bacterial gene sequencing indicated a reduction in bacteria like Prevotella, which may hinder the conversion of dietary nitrate to nitric oxide—a molecule vital for healthy blood vessel function and blood pressure regulation. Conversely, beneficial bacteria such as Neisseria increased in abundance after nitrate supplementation.

Expert commentary from Professor Anni Vanhatalo emphasized the importance of dietary nitrate, especially in aging populations, who naturally produce less nitric oxide and are at higher risk for cardiovascular issues. The findings support encouraging older adults to incorporate nitrate-rich vegetables like spinach, arugula, fennel, celery, and kale into their diets.

This research underscores the potential of nutritional strategies to improve vascular health by modulating the oral microbiome. It opens avenues for future studies to explore the impact of lifestyle factors and biological sex on dietary nitrate effectiveness, paving the way for tailored nutritional interventions to support healthy aging.

The study was supported by the NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility and involved bacterial analysis before and after interventions, highlighting significant microbiome shifts associated with blood pressure improvements in older adults.