The Acute Effects of Beetroot Powder and Arginine Supplementation on Blood Pressure in Normotensive Adults
Year: 2017
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: PURPOSE. Hypertension is one of the top risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in America. Beetroot is high in nitrates that could potentially be beneficial for hypertension. Beetroot comes in many forms including juice, juice concentrate, powdered, and encapsulated. The most studied form of beetroot is beetroot juice. Our study examined the encapsulated form of beetroot powder. L-arginine supplementation has also been suggested to have a strong association with blood pressure due to the nitric oxide pathway. The purpose of this graduate student research study was to investigate the effects of beetroot powder and arginine supplementation on blood pressure in normotensive adults. METHODS. Participants included students and faculty of Loma Linda University between the ages of 20 and 90 years with normal blood pressure readings. Participants were randomized into three groups: received beetroot powder and arginine supplement, received beetroot powder with arginine placebo, or received only placebo capsules. The supplements were taken in the morning for three consecutive days with blood pressure readings at four specific times during the day. RESULTS. There were no significant differences over time or between groups for systolic (Day 1 p = .82; Day 2 p = .97; Day 3 p = .62) or diastolic (Day 1 p = .50; Day 2 p = .97; Day 3 p = .59) blood pressure. CONCLUSION. Our study concluded that encapsulated beetroot powder combined with arginine supplementation would not be useful for reducing blood pressure in normotensive adults.
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2913266540