A recent study published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine journal, titled Ageing modifies the oral microbiome, nitric oxide bioavailability and vascular responses to dietary nitrate supplementation, suggests that drinking a small amount of a nutrient-packed vegetable juice twice daily may help lower blood pressure in older adults. The study suggests that no medication on top is required. This is a promising news for America's aging population. 70% of these adults are over the age of 65 and live with hypertension. High blood pressure is thus one of the biggest risk factors for them, which may lead to heart disease.What Was The Study About?Researchers from the University of Exeter in the UK carried out a fascinating trial involving 39 younger adults under 30 and 36 older adults in their 60s and 70s.Participants were asked to drink a shot of beetroot juice, a vegetable naturally rich in dietary nitrates, twice a day for two weeks. After that, they paused for another two weeks while using antiseptic mouthwash daily, before repeating the process with a placebo juice that had its nitrates removed.ALSO READ: Man Falls Ill After Seeking ChatGPT Advice on Cutting SaltAt the end of each phase, researchers studied their oral microbiomes, the mix of bacteria living inside the mouth, using gene sequencing. The results revealed a surprising connection between nitrates, oral bacteria, and blood pressure.What Did The Study Find Out?For older adults, beetroot juice led to a drop in bacteria linked to infections and an increase in bacteria associated with better health. Most importantly, their blood pressure levels fell noticeably after drinking the nitrate-rich juice, something that did not happen with the placebo or among the younger participants.“This study shows that nitrate-rich foods alter the oral microbiome in a way that could result in less inflammation, as well as a lowering of blood pressure in older people,” said co-author Dr. Andy Jones.Why Does Beetroot Work?What makes beetroot juice so powerful? The answer lies in nitrates. These molecules, made of nitrogen and oxygen, are naturally present in soil, water, and certain vegetables, particularly leafy greens and root vegetables like beets. The body also produces nitrates on its own.READ: Vitamin B6 In Your Favorite Energy Drink Is Making You JitterWhen consumed, nitrates are converted into nitric oxide, a molecule that helps regulate blood flow, lower blood pressure, and improve oxygen delivery in the body.Experts note that while a nitrate-rich diet benefits people of all ages, older adults produce less nitric oxide as they age. This decline contributes to higher blood pressure, raising the risk of heart attacks and strokes.Interestingly, researchers believe the oral microbiome may play a key role in this process. If there’s an imbalance between “good” and “bad” bacteria in the mouth, the body may struggle to efficiently convert nitrates into nitric oxide, weakening its natural blood pressure regulation system.“By uncovering how dietary nitrate affects oral bacteria and blood pressure in older adults, the study opens up new opportunities for improving vascular health through nutrition,” explained Dr. Lee Beniston of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.Similar Findings BeforeThis isn’t the first study linking beetroot juice to better heart health. A 2017 meta-analysis showed that regular beet juice consumption lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure across multiple trials.In 2022, another review analyzed studies where participants drank varying amounts of beet juice daily, ranging from 70 mL to 250 mL, for periods lasting 3 to 60 days. While all doses helped, those who consumed 250 mL per day experienced the most significant drops in blood pressure.Some earlier research even showed that beet juice could lower blood pressure in just three hours. However, experts say the most sustained benefits come from drinking it consistently over at least two months.