DRINKING a glass of beetroot juice a day can significantly reduce blood pressure, according to British scientists. Researchers found that in healthy volunteers blood pressure was reduced within an hour of drinking 500ml of the dark red juice.
DRINKING a glass of beetroot juice a day can significantly reduce blood pressure, according to British scientists.
Researchers found that in healthy volunteers blood pressure was reduced within an hour of drinking 500ml of the dark red juice.
The study, by Barts and the London School of Medicine and the Peninsula Medical School, could suggest a low-cost way to treat hypertension.
The effect was traced to nitrate in the beetroot that reacted with bacteria in the mouth.
This led to chemical changes which resulted in blood vessels dilating to increase blood flow.
More than 25 per cent of the world's adult population are hypertensive, and it has been estimated that this figure will increase to 29pc by 2025.
Hypertension causes around 50pc of coronary heart disease, and approximately 75pc of strokes.
Cardiovascular disease kills over 110,000 people in England every year.
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