title: Effect of beetroot juice on lowering blood pressure in free-living, disease-free adults: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The consumption of beetroot juice on a low nitrate diet may lower blood pressure (BP) and therefore reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. However, it is unknown if its inclusion as part of a normal diet has a similar effect on BP. The aim of the study was to conduct a randomized controlled trial with free-living adults to investigate if consuming beetroot juice in addition to a normal diet produces a measureable reduction in BP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen women and fifteen men participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Volunteers were randomized to receive 500 g of beetroot and apple juice (BJ) or a placebo juice (PL). Volunteers had BP measured at baseline and at least hourly for 24-h following juice consumption using an ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM). Volunteers remained at the clinic for 1-h before resuming normal non-strenuous daily activities. The identical procedure was repeated 2-wk later with the drink (BJ or PL) not consumed on the first visit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, there was a trend (P=0.064) to lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) at 6-h after drinking BJ relative to PL. Analysis in men only (n=13) after adjustment for baseline differences demonstrated a significant (P<0.05) reduction in SBP of 4 - 5 mmHg at 6-h after drinking BJ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Beetroot juice will lower BP in men when consumed as part of a normal diet in free-living healthy adults.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  anzctr.org.au ACTRN12612000445875.
authors.affiliation: Nutritional Interventions Laboratory (LC, PC), Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia. leah.coles@bakeridi.edu.au
authors.forename: Leah T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Coles
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Clifton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D027461:Beta vulgaris; D001628:Beverages; D001794:Blood Pressure; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000379:methods; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D027845:Malus; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018517:Plant Roots; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts