Why Beetroot Juice?
Well, beetroot is unusual in that it contains very high levels of nitrate. All plants need nitrate to grow and make protein. Beetroot is just better than the others at taking it up from the soil and storing it in its swollen root. “Ten years ago when we started this research, everyone thought nitrate was a toxic substance which should be avoided, but it was then realised that our own body makes this mineral and concentrates it in our saliva,” says Professor Ben Benjamin. “Bacteria on the surface of our tongue convert the nitrate to a more reactive chemical – nitrite, which when swallowed very easily converts to nitric oxide. This is a very powerful substance which is continually made by our blood vessels to keep our blood pressure low, and is also made in large quantities by white cells in our bloodstream to fight infection. It is also very important in preventing blood clots from forming in arteries by stopping platelet activation.” Professor Amrita Ahluwalia, who led the beetroot jui
