Beetroot Juice May Help Lower Blood Pressure Among Older Adults, Study Finds
A new study from the University of Exeter suggests that beetroot juice could play a surprising role in lowering blood pressure for older adults—thanks to changes it creates in the bacteria inside the mouth.
Researchers found that drinking nitrate-rich beetroot juice twice a day for two weeks helped reduce blood pressure in adults in their 60s and 70s. Interestingly, the same effect was not seen in younger participants under 30.
How it works
Beetroot and other leafy vegetables are rich in dietary nitrate, which the body converts into nitric oxide. This molecule helps keep blood vessels flexible and healthy, playing a key role in regulating blood pressure.
As we age, the body naturally produces less nitric oxide. Older adults also tend to have higher blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart problems such as heart attack and stroke. The study showed that beetroot juice encouraged “good” mouth bacteria like Neisseria to grow while reducing harmful bacteria such as Prevotella. This healthier balance made it easier for the body to turn nitrate into nitric oxide.
What the study found
- Participants: 75 people took part—39 under 30 and 36 in their 60s or 70s.
- Process: Each group drank either nitrate-rich beetroot juice or a nitrate-free placebo for two weeks, with a break in between.
- Results: Older adults showed lower blood pressure after the nitrate-rich juice, but no change after the placebo. Younger adults’ blood pressure remained the same.
Expert advice
Professor Anni Vanhatalo, who led the study, explained:
“Older people produce less nitric oxide as they age, so a nitrate-rich diet can really help. If you don’t like beetroot, there are plenty of other options like spinach, rocket, celery, fennel, and kale.”
Co-author Professor Andy Jones added that nitrate-rich foods may also help reduce inflammation, further supporting healthy aging.
Why it matters
This research, published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, highlights how diet can directly affect both oral bacteria and cardiovascular health. By adding more nitrate-rich vegetables to their diets, older adults may naturally lower blood pressure and improve heart health.
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