Can Beets Lower Your Blood Pressure?

A study reported online in the journal Hypertension suggests that this may, indeed, be the case.  British researchers examined the effects of inorganic nitrate in the diet on nitrite blood levels and blood pressure.

Inorganic potassium nitrate capsules at two dose levels (12 and 24 mmol) was studied in crossover fashion against potassium chloride (24 mmol), and 250 ml of beetroot juice (equals 5.5 mmol of nitrate) against 250 ml water.  In both cases, there was dose-dependent elevation of nitrite plasma levels followed by a decrease in blood pressure in healthy volunteers.  A sex-related difference in sensitivity to nitrate was found – blood pressure was decreased in males, who had higher baseline blood pressure and lower plasma nitrite levels;  this effect was not seen in the female volunteers. 

The increased nitrite levels were accompanied by raised cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels.  This substance relaxes smooth muscle tissues; in blood vessels, relaxation of vascular smooth muscle leads to vasodilatation, increased blood flow, and reduction of blood pressure. 

The blood-pressure lowering effect of drinking beetroot juice was first described by the researchers two years ago, and this study shows how it works, putting the effect on a stronger basis.  As someone who likes beetroot, I want to know how many slices I have to eat to get the same result as 250 ml of beetroot juice . . .