This health habit spikes Blood Pressure (stopit)

There’s one health habit you’ve been told to do to protect your teeth.

But according to a new study in Free Radical Biology & Medicine from Cardiff University, this habit can prevent your blood pressure from going down.

The trial followed 39 younger adults (18–30) and 36 older adults (67–79).

Everyone went through three two-week phases: nitrate-rich beetroot juice, nitrate-free placebo juice, and an antiseptic mouthwash.

The design was double-blind and cross-over, so each person tried all three, with breaks in between.

The standout result came in the older group.

Their mean arterial pressure dropped by about 4 mmHg during the nitrate phase. Younger adults didn’t see that change, but the older group clearly benefited.

Why? Nitric oxide.

As we age, our bodies make less of it, so we rely more on the nitrate-to-nitric-oxide pathway that depends on oral bacteria.

Blood samples confirmed it: plasma nitrite levels rose after the nitrate drink, and blood pressure fell when nitrite went up.

Microbiome analysis showed a shift too, with a drop in bacteria like Prevotella linked to less healthy pressure control.

In other words, better oral bacteria balance went hand-in-hand with better blood pressure.

But there was a twist…

Antiseptic mouthwash seemed to blunt the nitrate-nitric oxide pathway, especially in younger adults.

That suggests rinses may undo the very process that keeps arteries flexible.

So what does this mean if you’re 60 or older with creeping numbers?

Adding nitrate-rich foods like beetroot, rocket (arugula), or spinach could be a practical way to support nitric oxide and ease pressure on your heart.

And think twice before reaching for antiseptic mouthwash every day.

It kills the good bacteria.

Gentle brushing and flossing usually does the job.

But lowering your blood pressure 4-points is probably not enough.

Here are 3 easy blood pressure exercises guaranteed to bring your pressure below 120/80 as soon as tonight. They only take 9 minutes and are almost effortless…