Can beetroot lower blood pressure?

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There’s more to the humble beetroot than meets the eye.

Not only does its earthy flavour work as well roasted in a pan as blended into a dip, it turns out the juice from this rooty beauty may be the answer to lowering hypertension.

In a recent study, participants lowered their blood pressure by 11 points within six hours. All they had to do? Drink one cup of beetroot juice. The reason it works so fast is that beets contain dietary nitrate, which your body converts to gas that expands blood vessels and aids blood flow. Clever!

Want something heart-healthy and tasty? Try this smoothie from nutritionist Dana White. It contains a trifecta of goodness in the form of nitrates, magnesium and potassium.

Pineapple Beet Blast

Prep: 5 minutes Serves: 2

1/2 cup sliced, cooked beetroot
1 1/2 cups frozen pineapple chunks
1/4 cup celery leaves
1 cup vanilla almond milk
1 cup fresh orange juice

• Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blitz. Divide between two chilled glasses. Drink immediately.

NUTRITIONAL INFO Per serving: 640 kJ (153 cal), 2g protein, 35g carbs, 3g fibre, 1.5g fat (0g sat fat), 110mg sodium

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