A new study suggests that daily beetroot juice consumption may promote cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women by improving blood flow through blood vessels. The high nitrate content in beetroot juice plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy blood vessel function. However, the study found that the beneficial effects of beetroot juice waned within 24 hours of discontinuation. Menopause can lead to decreased estrogen levels, which can result in poor blood vessel function and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The study was conducted by Penn State University and was published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.
The study included 24 postmenopausal women who consumed concentrated beetroot juice daily for a week. The participants were nonsmokers with specific health criteria, such as normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Doppler ultrasound imaging was used to assess blood flow through the brachial artery before and after beetroot juice consumption. The study found that blood flow improved while participants consumed beetroot juice, but the effect diminished within 24 hours of their last intake. Neither beetroot juice nor the placebo prevented the decline in blood flow after ischemia-reperfusion injury in both groups.
Menopause accelerates the development of heart disease risk factors due to decreased estrogen levels, leading to increased LDL cholesterol, vascular stiffening, and high blood pressure. Estrogen acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, reducing the formation of plaques that can lead to heart attacks. Postmenopausal women are at an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, stroke, and heart attack. Dietary nitrate from plants can help improve blood vessel function by converting to nitric oxide, which widens blood vessels to enhance blood flow and oxygen delivery to organs.
The study author, Jocelyn M. Delgado Spicuzza, highlighted the importance of consuming nitrate through plant-based sources, such as leafy green vegetables, stem and shoot vegetables, herbs, and root vegetables. These foods are rich in dietary nitrate, which can help increase nitric oxide availability in the body and maintain healthy blood vessel function. Unlike heart medications like nitroglycerin, plant-based nitrate retains its effectiveness with continued use. However, it is essential to conduct further research to determine if consuming these foods can improve blood vessel function in postmenopausal women.
Cardiologists noted that a plant-based lifestyle, including nitrate-rich foods like beets, is associated with several health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease and other chronic diseases. On the other hand, a diet high in processed meats may have negative effects on heart health. Other heart-healthy foods for postmenopausal women include pomegranate juice, citrus fruits, dark chocolate, leafy green vegetables, berries, olive oil, garlic, fish, omega-3 fatty acids, and green tea. Larger trials are needed to assess clinical outcomes and determine if a high-nitrate diet can reduce cardiovascular events in postmenopausal women. In the meantime, cardiologists recommend a heart-healthy diet that includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low salt, avoiding saturated fats, processed foods, and sugar. Food is increasingly being recognized as medicine, highlighting the importance of incorporating healthy dietary choices to promote cardiovascular health.
