How to live longer: A red drink that could lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation

High blood pressure: Lifestyle changes to reduce reading

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Full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, one red drink can have numerous health benefits. Growing evidence suggests that its nitrate content can help lower blood pressure, but what beverage is it? Nitrates are converted by the body into nitric oxide – a compound that dilates the blood vessels, Medical News Today explained. Vasodilation is key in widening the artery passageway, improving blood flow to vital organs and tissues.

Researchers from Imperial College London investigated the effects of beetroot juice on blood pressure.

The double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled crossover trial involved 15 healthy, normotensive participants.

Study participants were either given normal beetroot juice (containing nitrate), or beetroot juice that had its nitrate content removed.

Participants were unaware as to which version of beetroot juice they were consuming.

Blood pressure measurements were taken 30 minutes, one hour, and 24 hours after beetroot consumption.

Following a wash-out period, the procedure was repeated, but swapped over.

This means that all participants would have had their blood pressure monitored when they consumed both types of beetroot juice.

Compared to placebo, the researchers established that ingestion of nitrate beetroot juice lowered systolic blood pressure as follows:

• 30 minutes – blood pressure reduction of 5.2mmHg.

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This effect on blood pressure reduced after 60 minutes, and the reduction in systolic blood pressure wasn’t sustained over 24 hours.

However, while only short-lived, nitrate beetroot juice was shown to lower blood pressure.

According to a scientific review, constructed by Northumbria University, beetroot juice contains an anti-inflammatory compound called betalains.

Betalains were recorded to inhibit specific signalling pathway that plays a role in inflammatory diseases.

Moreover, a research paper – published by the University of Benin – showcased how beetroot juice can help the liver.

In an animal study, rodents with a liver injury – who were given beetroot extracts – had minimal liver damage compared to control rats.

Liver disease

The NHS explained that a damaged and scarred liver can lead to symptoms, such as:

• Feeling very tired and weak all the time
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of sex drive (libido)
• Yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice).

Cirrhosis (a scarred liver) can be caused by obesity, a hepatitis infection, or alcohol misuse.

The problem with inflammation

Even though inflammation is a part of the body’s defence mechanism, too much inflammation is linked to diabetes and heart disease.

Medical News Today continued: “Experts believe inflammation may contribute to a wide range of chronic diseases.”

For instance, excess inflammation has been linked to cardiovascular disease.

High blood pressure can also lead to cardiovascular disease – one of the biggest threats to life.

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