Study Finds That Drinking Beet Juice Once A Day Lowers Blood Pressure

Researchers in the U.K. have found evidence that increasing one’s intake of nitrates from leafy vegetables and beets can lead to improvements in cardiovascular health. The study examined the impact of drinking 8 oz. of beet juice daily on blood pressure. The beet juice contained about 0.2g of dietary nitrate, levels found in a large bowl of lettuce or two beets. Participants with high blood pressure who drank about 8 ounces of beet juice experienced a decrease in blood pressure of about 10 mm Hg over a 24-hour period. The researchers cautioned that the findings are preliminary and don't yet suggest that supplementing the diet with beet juice conveys long-term health benefits.