Beet Juice Lowers Blood Pressure

Beet Juice Lowers Blood Pressure
Nitrates Found in Vegetables May Protect Blood Vessels
By Elisabeth Bergman
WebMD Medical News

Feb. 8, 2008 -- Drinking two cups of beet juice a day may reduce blood pressure, a study shows.

The British researchers who conducted the study say the findings add even more weight to the importance of eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

That's because beets (known as beetroot in Britain) are loaded with the nutrient nitrate. Spinach, lettuce, and other green, leafy vegetables also have high levels of nitrate.

Previous studies have shown that eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables lowers blood pressure. Antioxidants often get the credit, but several recent studies have suggested that nitrates may play a much bigger role. How nitrates work to lower blood pressure has been more of mystery.

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