Chewing Sugar Gum after Beetroot May Help Lower Blood Pressure

Topic: Health

Researchers at King's College London found that chewing sugar-containing gum after eating nitrate-rich vegetables like beetroot can help lower blood pressure. Volunteers who chewed sugary gum had a significant increase in nitrite levels and a temporary reduction in blood pressure. This discovery could be useful for athletes who consume beetroot to improve exercise performance.

Researchers at King's College London have made an interesting discovery about how our bodies use dietary nitrate from foods like beetroot, spinach, and kale.

Dietary nitrate is a natural compound that accumulates in vegetables from the soil. However, it doesn't benefit the body until bacteria in the mouth convert it into nitrite. Nitrite helps relax and widen blood vessels, improving blood flow and contributing to lower blood pressure.

The research team wanted to know if increasing the acidity of saliva could speed up this chemical reaction. To investigate, they tested whether chewing sugar-containing gum would increase nitrite production. They found that sugary gum lowered the pH inside the mouth by 1.4 points, which led to a significant increase in nitrite levels.

The volunteers who chewed sugary gum also experienced a temporary reduction in blood pressure. Their systolic blood pressure (when the heart pushes blood out) fell by nearly 3 mmHg, while diastolic blood pressure (when the heart relaxes between beats) dropped by almost 2 mmHg compared to those who chewed sugar-free gum.

However, it's essential to note that these effects were temporary and long-term use of sugary products would not be recommended for dental health. The researchers emphasize that this discovery should not be interpreted as a recommendation to chew sugary gum as a way to control blood pressure.

Why It Matters

This discovery could be useful for athletes who consume beetroot to improve exercise performance. It also highlights the importance of understanding how our bodies use dietary nitrate and how we can optimize its benefits.

Key Facts

• Researchers at King's College London found that chewing sugar-containing gum after eating nitrate-rich vegetables like beetroot can help lower blood pressure.
• Volunteers who chewed sugary gum had a significant increase in nitrite levels (45%) and a temporary reduction in blood pressure.
• The effects were temporary, lasting several hours, and long-term use of sugary products would not be recommended for dental health.
• This discovery could be useful for athletes who consume beetroot to improve exercise performance.
• Dietary nitrate is a natural compound that accumulates in vegetables from the soil.

Key Terms

Nitrate

A natural compound that accumulates in vegetables from the soil.

Nitrite

A chemical produced when bacteria in the mouth convert nitrate into a form that benefits the body.

Implications

This discovery could be useful for athletes who consume beetroot to improve exercise performance. It also highlights the importance of understanding how our bodies use dietary nitrate and how we can optimize its benefits.