
Beet Juice May Lower Blood Pressure by Altering Mouth Bacteria
A two-week study found that daily nitrate-rich beet juice lowered blood pressure in older adults and altered the mouth’s bacteria—reducing Prevotella and increasing beneficial Neisseria—by enabling nitrate to nitric oxide conversion that relaxes blood vessels. The effect was not seen with a nitrate-free placebo, suggesting oral bacteria play a key role. Beets and other nitrate-rich vegetables may offer modest heart-health benefits when consumed regularly (about a cup daily), but they aren’t a replacement for blood pressure medications.













