by Bede -pray -juice reduces blood pressure in older people by suppressing potentially harmful bacteria in the mouth, according to a study.
Experts of the University of Exeter compared the reactions of younger adults and older adults with beetroot -juice, which is rich in nitrates.
These nitrates are converted into nitrogen oxide from the body, which can relax and expand the blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
The study included 39 adults under the age of 30 and 36 people in the 1960s and 70s.
For two weeks, each group received shots from beetroot.
After a two-week break in which people received anti-septic mouthwash every day, the groups received a placebo juice with the nitrate for fourteen days.
The researchers used the gene sequencing to analyze the bacteria present in the mouth after each part of the experiment.
In both groups, the so-called oral microbiom-das complex ecosystem of microorganisms changed in mouth after drinking the nitrate rich juice, although the effects differed.
In older people there was a decline in common bacteria, which can sometimes cause infections, and an increase in bacteria that can benefit from health.
The researchers also found that the older group reduced blood pressure for two weeks after drinking the nitrate rich juice.
Professor Andy Jones from the University of Exeter said: “This study shows that nitrate -rich foods change the oral microbiome in a way that can lead to less inflammation and reducing blood pressure in older people.
“This paves the way for larger studies to examine the influence of lifestyle factors and organic sex on how people react to the additive to nitrate.”
Professor Anni Vanhatalo from the University of Exeter added: “We know that a nitrate -rich nutrition has health benefits and that older people aged less than age produce their own nitrogen oxide.
“You also have a higher blood pressure, which can be associated with heart cycle complications such as heart attack and stroke.
“Consuming older adults to consume nitrate -rich vegetables could have significant long -term health benefits.
“The good news is that there are many nitrate-rich alternatives such as spinach, rocket, fennel, celery and kale if you don’t like beetroot root.”
The study published in the Free Radical Biology and Medicine magazine was financed by a BBSRC Industrial Partnership Award.
Dr. Lee Beniston, deputy director of industrial partnerships and collaborative research and development at BBSRC, said: “This research is a good example of how Bioscience can help us better understand the complex connections between nutrition, microbiom and healthy aging.
“By revealing how nitrate influences oral bacteria and blood pressure in older adults, it opens up new opportunities to improve vascular health through nutrition.”
