Can beetroot juice or supplements lower blood pressure or improve exercise performance, and are they safe?

What about eating organic raw beets? I put a third of a medium beet in my smoothie daily. Are there any concerns for that?

I think it's important to note the difference between nitrates that are naturally occurring in fruits and vegetables vs. those synthesized in labs from natural sources like celery. Also chemical nitrates found in other products, often with lots of salt:

To quote Harvard Health Heart Health story, "Nitrates in food and medicine: What's the story?" (February 1, 2022
By Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter):

"Dark green leafy vegetables (such as spinach, kale, and romaine lettuce), beets, and celery are rich in nitrates. They also contain vitamin C and other antioxidants that inhibit the reaction that creates harmful N-nitroso compounds. In fact, diets that include nitrate-rich vegetables have been associated with lower rates of cancer, including stomach cancer."

My reading of your articles on so-called nitric acid supplements is that they don’t actually ADD nitric acid itself (as does the nitrate / nitric acid found in beetroot powder extract or juice). Instead they provide arginine, which in turn helps body to increase its OWN production & synthesis of nitric acid. Therefore my question is whether beetroot (extract or liquid) is the best and most concentrated source of actual ADDED nitrate / nitric acid? Are there other food or supplement sources that provide similar amounts of actual ADDED nitrates /nitric acid? If so, are there any with less carbs?

I am a bit confused (what else is new) about whether "excessive “ nitrate consumption with foods or supplements can CAUSE methemoglobinemia, or should simply BE AVOIDED by people who already have that “rare” condition.

I have been able to significantly reduce cold sore outbreaks by limiting intake of foods high in L-arginine and/or supplementing with 2,000 mg of l-lysine daily.

Too much beet juice seemed to effect my thyroid. When I quit drinking it the numbers went back to normal. Was it the juice? Would like to be able to drink it for BP.

I make the juice myself in a blender, 6 beet roots, 1 apple, 1 pear, 1/4 cup fresh lemon blend with filtered water, strain the juice. I drink 2 cups every other day, and monitor my BP. I have seen a significant change in BP in 2 weeks. I am on Lisinopril 20mg x1 daily but it could not move BP's from 150/84. I am not waking up to BP's 127-135/ 70-80. I am walking more and have reduced sodium also. ( which I did before drink the juice) . Personal experience

Are the beetroot products that you mentioned in your article , have they all been tested by consumer lab? I am interested in purchasing the powdered beetroot but want to be careful if consumer labs has not approved them, thank you

Eating almonds inevitably leads to cold sores for me. Found that L-lysine always handles any cold sore outbreak quickly. I avoid almonds.

I'm taking 4 BP medications and my systolic varies from 114 to 144. Everytime I try beet juice i get stomach cramps (CL mentions this possibility in the above article) but I'm going to try again with food on my stomach to see if it helps.

I got a drop in systolic BP by taking 1 gel cap black seed oil / day.

I really appreciate having a doctor that will look into these supplements for me. Thank you Dr. Cooperman. Beetroot supplement pills did lower my blood pressure some. Around 7 points on both D and S.

what about hibiscus tea for blood pressure?

Beet juice is also very high in carbs, around 25 g per cup.

Just an FYI on beetjuice, if you choose to lower BP on occasion with beetjuice that is fine, but please avoid drinking beetjuice on a daily basis. It is very high in oxalates and can cause kidney stones. Good health to all.

I too get 10points or more reduction on both sbp & dbp with one 8 oz cup of fresh juiced beet juice with carrot and celery, every few days. Same as what Dr Oz. show reported.

I traveled from elevation of 2000 to 5000 in mountains. My BP increased from
132/90 t0 144/91 after 4 days at higher elevations . I was concerned so researched
And found study on beet juice that found the nitric oxide in beet juice consumption led to systolic reduction in BP. The next day I took 1/2 of 25 mg. diuretic (Spirinolactone) and I ate the following for lunch (as experiment) to reduce BP; 1 avocado with 1/2 can sliced beets (no sodium added) and handful fresh spinach, topped with Balsamic vinegar. Took BP 5 hours later and BP went from previous 144/91 down to 121/85 (remarkable). Did same lunch next day and went down to 115/80, and day 3 in morning was down to 114/74 without taking diuretic, did not eat lunch yesterday and ate dinner out. This morning BP was 129/83. Will eat above lunch today to see if get same reduced BP tonight.

Be aware that drinking large amounts of beet juice may resultin beeturia, turning the urine red. While the condition is likely harmless, it can confused with passing blood in the urine.

I have no opinion about beetroot. The article presents a balanced view. However, the following facts should be mentioned:

1. A 4mm reduction in systolic blood pressure is worthwhile, and similar to that achieved with some blood pressure medicines, reducing drinking, or reducing sodium.
2. Systolic BP is more important than diastolic.

Two cups daily of home-made beet juice made with fresh or steamed beets reduced my systolic blood pressure from 140-170 to 120-135 allowing me to wean myself of beta-blocker and nitrate prescriptions. However, after about two weeks, I developed itchy bumps on my skin. By reducing my beet juice intake to 1 cup daily the incidence of skin problems has decreased, and I am now taking along with it minimal doses of angiotensin receptor blocker (25 mg/day) and nitrate (5 mg/twice a day). By the way to enhance the taste and effectiveness of the juice, I also add berries, melon, celery,apple …whatever I have on hand.