Changes in oral bacteria may help older adults get more heart health benefits from nitrate-rich foods.
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Beetroot juice lowers blood pressure in people aged 60 and older but has no effect on younger people, a recent study found.
Beetroot juice is rich in nitrates, which can be converted into nitric oxide, a compound that helps reduce blood pressure and improve heart function. Researchers found that older people have a specific mix of bacteria in their mouths that can help convert more nitrate into nitric oxide.
