Beetroot Juice Could Be Key to Alzheimer's Disease
Prevention
The results of a new study published in the
journal Nitric Oxide: Biology and Chemistry shows the impact
of beetroot juice on brain health. Researchers already know that beetroot juice
is beneficial to heart health as it effectively lowers blood pressure. A new
study demonstrated the extract could be used as an agent to improve oxygen flow
to the aging brain and improve cognitive decline.
Nitrates in Beetroot Juice Relax Aging
Arteries
Healthy blood flow to the brain declines with
age as the vascular endothelium begins to harden and normal flexibility is
lost. The heart needs to beat faster and harder to pump the same volume of
blood and normal oxygen supply is reduced. These are known risk factors for the
onset of dementia as well as stroke.
Beetroot juice is high in natural nitrates that turn into nitrite and help to
relax and open aging blood vessels that supply the brain. More blood flow
corresponds to improved oxygenation, improved memory and the ability to learn
and retain recent events.
Blood Flow to the Brain Improved with Beetroot
Juice
The study conducted at Wake Forest
University's Translational Science Center included 14 adults aged 70 and over
for a period of 4 days. Participants were broken into two groups and provided
with a diet high in nitrates (from beetroot juice and leafy green vegetables)
or a traditional diet without nitrates. The next day blood was drawn to
determine nitrite saturation levels and an MRI was performed to check for blood
flow to the brain. Participant diets were switched on subsequent days and the
tests repeated.
Study Concludes Beetroot Juice Improves Blood
Flow and Cognition
Test results indicated that blood flow to the
critical front lobe white matter was increased as a result of the diet high in
nitrates from beetroot juice. No change was seen when a traditional diet was
provided. The study authors concluded "Our results support the
proposal that oral nitrate therapy may be beneficial in treating cognitive
decline that is often observed with aging. Towards that end, we show a direct
effect of dietary nitrate on cerebral blood flow within the subcortical and
deep white matter of the frontal lobes".
Increasing blood flow and oxygenation is
essential to prevent the cognitive decline that is so prevalent in the aging
population. Half of those people at age 80 will experience some form of
dementia or vascular disorder. Research continues to confirm that a natural
diet including foods such as beetroot juice can help to improve cognition and
allow people to age naturally.
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