PP274 - EFFECTS OF BEETROOT (BETA VULGARIS) JUICE SUPPLEMENTATION ON ARTERIAL STIFFNESS AND BLOOD PRESSURE IN PRE-HYPERTENSIVE ADULTS
PP274
EFFECTS OF BEETROOT (BETA VULGARIS) JUICE SUPPLEMENTATION ON ARTERIAL STIFFNESS AND BLOOD PRESSURE IN PRE-HYPERTENSIVE ADULTS
C. I. Jayarathne1,*, K. M. Rathnayake1
1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries and Nutrition , Wayamba University of Sri Lanka , Makandura (NWP), 60170, Sri Lanka
Rationale: Pre-hypertension is a transitional stage of elevated blood pressure in which pharmacological intervention is generally not recommended, leaving a therapeutic gap in clinical management. This study aimed to bridge this gap by investigating the effects of dietary nitrate, administered via beetroot (Beta vulgaris) juice, on both arterial stiffness and blood pressure in pre-hypertensive adults.
Methods: In a single-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 22 participants (baseline pulse wave velocity: 6.8 ± 1.2 m/s; systolic and diastolic blood pressure: 127.4 ± 9.4 mmHg, 82.3 ± 9.3 mmHg, respectively) underwent two 14-day intervention periods separated by a 3-week washout. The treatment consisted of 250 mL of beetroot juice prepared from 160 g of raw beetroot per 100 mL of water daily. The placebo group received 10 mL of blackcurrant cordial diluted to 250 mL, organoleptically matched to the treatment. Participants avoided dietary beetroot intake during the intervention periods. Data were analysed using paired t-tests to compare treatment effects and independent t-tests to assess carryover effects.
Results: Beetroot juice supplementation significantly reduced pulse wave velocity by 0.2 m/s (95% CI: -0.4 to -0.1, p=0.002) compared to placebo and significantly reduced systolic blood pressure by 7.7 mmHg (95% CI: -11.9 to -3.5, p=0.001) compared to placebo. In contrast, no significant change was observed in diastolic blood pressure (p=0.097). No statistically significant carryover effects were detected (p>0.05).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that beetroot juice supplementation may serve as a non-pharmacological approach to reduce arterial stiffness and systolic blood pressure in pre-hypertensive adults.
Disclosure of Interest: None declared