Evaluation of the effect of the roots of Beta vulgaris (Chenopodiaceae) juice on adults subjects with grade 1 hypertension under dietary regime

Introduction: Lifestyle modification like increasing fruits/vegetables consumption is one of the key approaches in treating arterial hypertension: a major risk factor for mortality worldwide. Beta vulgaris (beetroot) and other vegetables consume frequently could be a rich source of inorganic nitrates, which will be converted to nitric oxide. Objective: To evaluate the effect of the roots of Beta vulgaris (Chenopodiaceae) juice on adults’ subjects with grade 1 hypertension under dietary regime. Methodology: Beetroot was obtained at the local market and decontaminated. Beetroot juice (BJ) was extracted and freeze till utilization. Recruitment was hospital-based, were included all adult subjects of both sexes, with grade 1 hypertensive according to the Joint National Committee 7, not subject to pharmacological treatment, non-gravid women. A single-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was performed during 4 weeks. Volunteers were randomized to receive either 250 mL of BJ or water (placebo) during 02 weeks and blood pressure (BP) registered in triplicates at baseline, 3 h, at 24 h. BP was recorded daily at home during trial, a week before, and after receiving BJ using an automatic BP machine. Blood and urine nitrates were assessed at baseline and 3 h after drinking juice. Results: A total of 14 subjects participated in the trial including 9 women and 5 men. An overall non-significant decrease in BP of 4.5/0.41 mmHg (decrease of 5.62/2.25 mmHg at H3 [p-value = 0.2427/0.3385], and decrease of 1.4 mmHg in systolic blood pressure at the 24th hour [p-value = 0.4150]) in the intervention group compared to the control group respectively for systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the intervention was observed [p-value = 0.1255/0.1612]. No change in blood and urine nitrite was registered. Conclusion: Beetroot juice decrease non-significantly blood pressure.