That’s right! Red beets can lower your blood pressure. A new study found red beets help lower blood pressure the same way nitroglycerin does --by relaxing blood vessels. People who drank 2 cups of red beet juice had a drop in blood pressure that averaged 10.4 points at its peak. And 24 hours later blood pressure was still 6 points lower.
Beets contain nitrates, which convert to nitric oxide, a substance that dilates blood vessels. A downside to nitrates is that they also tend to form free radicals, so make sure your diet also includes free radical quenching antioxidant vitamin E. (Webb, AJ et al. Hypertension published online Feb 4, 2008; DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.107.103523)
Nitrates are just one of many components in vegetables that fight high blood pressure. It’s still best to get a variety of veggie colors: green, orange, yellow and red. To retain vital nutrients, microwave, roast or lightly steam your vegetables rather than boiling them. Add a bit of fat, like an olive oil dressing, to increase absorption of fat-soluble nutrients like beta-carotene.
The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: Nearly half of all adults have high blood pressure, which puts them at serious risk for developing heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S. If you have high blood pressure, you may be able to avoid the use of drugs to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range by including blood pressure-lowering foods like beets in your diet.
QUICK TIP: As Jean Carper explains, the DASH diet can be as effective as drugs at lowering blood pressure. Learn More
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