Previous studies have found that beetroot juice may help lower blood pressure by increasing nitric oxide production. Now a new study has found that those improvements may be greater in older adults compared to younger adults.

Participants in the study included 13 people between the ages of 18 and 30 and 11 people between the ages of 50 and 70. During the first trial, participants consumed 5 ounces of beetroot juice or a placebo 2.25 hours prior to a 30-minute treadmill walk. Participants switched interventions for the second trial. Plasma nitrate and nitrite concentrations, blood pressure, heart rate, cognitive function, mood and perceptual tests were performed at baseline and following the treadmill walk.

Beetroot juice consumption significantly increased plasma nitrate and nitrite concentrations and reduced systolic blood pressure in both age groups. However, the older adults showed a greater increase in plasma nitrite and a greater reduction in diastolic blood pressure. 

The study was conducted by researchers from Massey University, New Zealand. It was published online ahead of print on July 22, 2019 in the journalNutrients.