Gut microbes convert veggie nitrates into heart-protecting molecules

Researchers show gut bacteria transform nitrate and plant-based iron from vegetables into dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs) that travel to the liver and kidneys; in animal models, higher DNIC levels were linked to lower blood pressure, better blood sugar control, improved vascular function, and reduced liver fat, offering a possible mechanism for vegetables' protective effects—though human studies are needed.