Beetroot juice lowers blood pressure in older people by changing oral microbiome, study shows

Medical Xpress / University of Exeter / Free Radical Biology and Medicine ^ | July 23, 2025 | Anni Vanhatalo et al

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[ProtectOurFreedom]

You are right about anti-bacterial mouthwashes. You need to sustain healthy, "good" bacteria in the mouth.

Certain mouthwashes, particularly those with broad-spectrum antimicrobial ingredients, can disrupt this balance by indiscriminately killing both beneficial and harmful bacteria, leading to dysbiosis (an imbalance in the microbial community).

Broad-spectrum antimicrobial mouthwashes can reduce beneficial bacteria critical for nitrate-to-nitrite conversion, impacting nitric oxide production and potentially raising blood pressure. They may also increase the risk of systemic conditions like prediabetes or diabetes, as seen in a longitudinal study of overweight patients.

You generally want to avoid the following unless otherwise recommended by your doctor:
* Alcohol-Based Mouthwashes (e.g., Listerine Cool Mint)
* Chlorhexidine (CHX)-Based Mouthwashes
* Hydrogen Peroxide-Based Mouthwashes
* Mouthwashes with Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC) (e.g., Scope)
* Mouthwashes with Artificial Additives (e.g., Parabens, Polysorbates, Artificial Colors, PEGs)

[ProtectOurFreedom]

A side benefit is beet juice has plenty of nitrates and is thus a vasodilator. Nitrates increase nitric oxide (NO) levels, which relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow, a key factor in achieving and maintaining erections. Erectile dysfunction (ED) often stems from impaired blood flow, and NO is critical for the vasodilation needed for erection.

Drink your beet juice, guys — lower BP AND better, er, um, ...

[frank ballenger]

I like your honesty. Funny.

Now I’m thinking of Monty Python actors in dresses.

[frank ballenger]

The lovely and talented Dana Loesch told us so. Who listened?

[DAC21]

I wonder if the Brits consider a “shot” the same we do, one ounce? 20 grams of carbs for 8 oz, I’m trying to keep the carb count down.

[tired&retired]

I buy the powder and add it to a breakfast smoothie.

[tired&retired]

Same here with an even bigger drop.

My Dr was insisting I take BP medicine. I refused, even though it was sky high. It’s now in the range of 120/75. Actually low for my age.

I think the magnesium supplements helped the most.

[Sirius Lee]

Real men say beet taproot vegetable plant juice.

[ckilmer]

COME ON YOU SONS OF BITCHES, DO YOU WANT TO LIVE FOREVER?!

///////
You ever been to old folks homes. People in wheelchairs drooling and out of it for ten years?

Modern science is keeping people alive for an extra 10 years or more.

But in way too many cases those last 10-15 years are awful and mostly worthless.

That’s what what people want to avoid.

Better to live until you die. And die all at once.