Two separate randomly controlled, single-blind, cross-over, postprandial studies were performed in normotensive volunteers to investigate ambulatory blood pressure (BP) following consumption of either four doses of beetroot juice (BJ) (N = 18; 0, 100, 250, and 500 g), or three bread products (control bread, red beetroot- and white beetroot-enriched breads (N = 14; 0, 100, and 100 g beetroot, respectively). Total urinary nitrate/nitrite (NOx) was measured at baseline, and at two, four, and 24 h post-ingestion. Over a 24 h period, BJ consumption significantly, and in a near dose-dependent manner, lowered systolic BP (SBP; P < 0.01) and diastolic BP (DBP; P < 0.001) compared to control and the beetroot-enriched bread products lowered SBP and DBP (red beetroot-enriched bread, P < 0.05), with no statistical differences between the varieties. Total urinary NOx significantly increased following the consumption of 100 g (P < 0.01), 250 g (P < 0.001) and 500 g BJ (P < 0.001) and after red beetroot-enriched bread ingestion (P < 0.05). These data demonstrated the BP-lowering cardioprotective effects of a low dose of beetroot, which seem to be unaffected by processing. Br J Nutr. 2012 Mar 14:1-9. PMID: 22414688
