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A pioneering study published in the European Respiratory Journal reveals the remarkable benefits of a 12-week daily beetroot juice supplement regimen for individuals battling Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This supplement course not only reduced blood pressure but also improved patients’ ability to walk longer distances within six minutes, signifying a potential breakthrough in managing this severe lung condition.
COPD, affecting approximately 400 million individuals globally and encompassing chronic bronchitis and emphysema, significantly impedes breathing and limits physical activity, escalating the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Led by Professor Nicholas Hopkinson from Imperial College London, the research scrutinized a concentrated beetroot juice supplement high in nitrate, comparing it against a placebo with removed nitrate content but identical appearance and taste.
Hopkinson highlighted the potential of nitrate-rich beetroot juice in increasing nitric oxide availability, a compound facilitating blood vessel relaxation and enhancing muscle efficiency, thereby reducing oxygen demand during physical exertion.
The study involved 81 COPD patients with systolic blood pressure above 130 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Monitoring blood pressure and assessing patients’ walking ability over six minutes constituted the study’s core.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the 12-week nitrate-rich beetroot supplement or the placebo.
Results showcased a notable average decrease of 4.5mm/Hg in systolic blood pressure among those receiving the nitrate-rich supplement compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, individuals on the nitrate-rich beetroot juice exhibited an average increase of about 30 meters in their walking distance within six minutes.
Professor Hopkinson expressed optimism about the findings, emphasizing the reduction in blood pressure, improved vascular flexibility, and enhanced mobility among COPD patients. However, he stressed the need for broader and longer-term studies to corroborate these promising results.
Professor Apostolos Bossios from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden underscored the imperative to extend research duration for validation, acknowledging the significance of improving COPD patients’ quality of life and minimizing cardiovascular risks associated with the condition.
