Beat Hypertension with Beets

Drinking a Glass of Beet Juice a Day Can Lower Your Blood Pressure!

Beets are not on the Top Ten List of produce for many people, but perhaps they should be! Farm fresh beets are at their peak between June and October and most markets carry at least one variety year round. Like most fresh produce, beets contain a hefty dose of folate, manganese, potassium, fiber and vitamin C. A recent study conducted by the University of London School of Medicine confirms that the lowly beet also contains nutrients that can help lower blood pressure nearly as well as prescription medications!

Beets are loaded with the nutrient, nitrate. Other vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, and other leafy greens also have high levels of nitrate. While it has long been known that eating a diet containing plenty of fruits and vegetables help lower blood pressure, this recent study shows the specific nutrient, nitrate plays an important role in decreasing high blood pressure as well as other cardio-vascular risks. While how it works still remains a bit of a mystery this latest study increases our understanding that it does indeed work

With an estimated 25 per cent of the world's adult population being hypertensive and this number expected to increase as high as 29 percent by 2025, there is a strong push to finding cost-friendly ways to prevent hypertension and other cardio-vascular related diseases. Hypertension has been dubbed the 'silent killer' as it is known to cause around 50 per cent of coronary heart disease, and approximately 75 per cent of strokes.

The newest study published in Hypertension -early online edition ( Feb 4, 2008 ) highlights the potential of beets as a natural, low cost approach for the treatment of high blood pressure and related cardiovascular diseases.

By drinking two cups of organic beet juice a day, participants were able to significantly lower their blood pressure and maintain a lower blood pressure for 24 hours. This is as effective as many prescription medications.