Recent research published in the European Respiratory Journal has revealed that a 12-week daily beetroot juice supplementation can lower blood pressure and enhance physical capacity in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
This discovery offers a glimmer of hope for the approximately 400 million people globally afflicted with COPD. This condition includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema and severely limits physical activity while increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The study, spearheaded by Professor Nicholas Hopkinson at Imperial College London, compared the effects of a nitrate-rich beetroot juice supplement against a placebo version that looked and tasted similar but lacked nitrate.
The research involved 81 COPD patients treated at the Royal Brompton Hospital, London, who had a systolic blood pressure above 130 mmHg (millimeters of mercury).
Systolic blood pressure, the higher number in a blood pressure reading, ideally ranges between 90 and 120 mmHg.
Participants were randomly assigned to either receive the nitrate-rich beetroot supplement (70 milliliters of concentrated juice containing 400 milligrams of nitrate daily) or the placebo for 12 weeks.
The findings were significant: those who took the nitrate-rich supplement experienced an average reduction in systolic blood pressure of 4.5 mm/Hg and could walk an additional 30 meters on average in a six-minute walking test, compared to those on the placebo.
Professor Hopkinson highlighted the potential of beetroot juice, noting its ability to increase nitric oxide availability in the blood, thereby relaxing blood vessels and improving muscle efficiency.
The study’s results show a decrease in blood pressure and increased walking distance in COPD patients, suggesting improvements in overall health and mobility.
Other researchers emphasized the urgent need for treatments that improve the quality of life for COPD patients and reduce their cardiovascular disease risk.
They noted the wide consumption and prior testing of beetroot juice, pointing to its potential as a safe treatment option for people with COPD.
This study represents a significant step forward in managing COPD symptoms and associated risks.
The promising outcomes suggest potential improvements in daily life for COPD patients and reduced risks of heart disease and stroke, though further, longer-term studies are needed to confirm these benefits.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and drinking green tea could help lower blood pressure.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about what to eat or to avoid for high blood pressure, and 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
The research findings can be found in European Respiratory Journal.
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