Could one common vegetable possibly lower blood pressure significantly in just 24 hours?
What new vegetable discovery is responsible and why have you not heard of it?
You have. In fact, this vegetable has been around likely as long as there have been people.
Beetroot juice.
It’s been touted lately as a “super” food and practically a cure-all vegetable; however, it’s not just “lately” that this vegetable has been around.
It’s been documented that beetroot juice was used in Roman times to treat everything from fever to acne, and was also used as an aphrodisiac.
While I wouldn’t discount these properties based on all of my research into beetroot juice benefits, my focus is on its effect pertaining to blood pressure.
For some time, we’ve known that this juice could lower blood pressure, but in 2010, researchers of a British study discovered that nitrate is the ingredient in the juice that is responsible for lowering blood pressure.
In this study, participants were divided into 3 groups and given beetroot juice, nitrate pills, and a placebo, respectively.
Those on the juice and nitrate pills had a significant blood pressure reduction within less than 24 hours, as compared to the placebo group.
Given that many individuals with high blood pressure can end up on multiple medications, beetroot juice is a great option. Just be aware that beetroot juice can have a burning effect on the throat on its own. If you want to avoid that, mix it with a carrot/apple juice combination.
Unfortunately, beetroot juice is also a “love it” or “hate it” type of drink. Some people just can’t drink it, no matter how healthy it may be.