There is something to be said for taking natural remedies over popping pills every day, particularly because there are no side effects. Drinking beetroot juice is no exception: it has been recently proven to cause a long-lasting reduction in blood pressure in individuals with hypertension, according to a study by a team from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).

This positive effect is due to the high levels of inorganic nitrate in this earthy purple root; inorganic nitrate is converted into nitric oxide in the body, which then relaxes and dilates blood vessels. Leafy green vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage also contain inorganic nitrate.

The clinical trial involved 64 patients either who were on anti-hypertensive medication but were not reaching their target blood pressure, or who were diagnosed with the condition but not on medication. For four weeks, each patient took a daily dietary supplement of either 250ml of beet juice or a nitrate-free beet juice placebo; they were then monitored for two weeks before and after, for a total study period of eight weeks.

The finding revealed that patients who took the active supplement – beetroot juice containing inorganic nitrate – saw a reduction in blood pressure of around 20 percent to 8/4 mmHg, which is the normal range, and a 10 percent reduction in arterial stiffness. There were no changes to blood pressure or arterial stiffness among the placebo group.

It is hugely beneficial for people to be able to take steps in controlling their blood pressure through non-clinical means such as eating vegetables.

Text by Clinique Suisse
Stock photos from BigStockPhoto 

Source(s):
http://www.cliniquesuisse.co.id/