Spinach and Lettuce May Lower Blood Pressure

A new study held in Sweden suggests that nitrates may lower blood pressure. Nitrates are a nutrrient found in vegetables such as spinach and lettuce.

Scientists at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences examined the effect of nitrates on 17 young and healthy students. The students were given a daily dose of nitrate supplement for 3 days, and a placebo for 3 days.

The average diastolic blood pressure after 3 days of taking the nitrates supplement was 3.7 mm Hg lower than it was after taking the placebo for three days.

It is well known for a long time that a diet rich with vegetables may reduce blood pressure. The recearchers of this study suggest the need for further studies of the effect of nitrate-rich vegetables.

The study was published at the New England Journal of Medicine.