Report Title

The Acute Effects of Beetroot Powder and Arginine Supplementation on Blood Pressure in Normotensive Adults

Collective Title

Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Research Reports 2017

Abstract

PURPOSE. Hypertension is one of the top risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in America. Beetroot is high in nitrates that could potentially be beneficial for hypertension. Beetroot comes in many forms including juice, juice concentrate, powdered, and encapsulated. The most studied form of beetroot is beetroot juice. Our study examined the encapsulated form of beetroot powder. L-arginine supplementation has also been suggested to have a strong association with blood pressure due to the nitric oxide pathway. The purpose of this graduate student research study was to investigate the effects of beetroot powder and arginine supplementation on blood pressure in normotensive adults. METHODS. Participants included students and faculty of Loma Linda University between the ages of 20 and 90 years with normal blood pressure readings. Participants were randomized into three groups: received beetroot powder and arginine supplement, received beetroot powder with arginine placebo, or received only placebo capsules. The supplements were taken in the morning for three consecutive days with blood pressure readings at four specific times during the day. RESULTS. There were no significant differences over time or between groups for systolic (Day 1 p = .82; Day 2 p = .97; Day 3 p = .62) or diastolic (Day 1 p = .50; Day 2 p = .97; Day 3 p = .59) blood pressure. CONCLUSION. Our study concluded that encapsulated beetroot powder combined with arginine supplementation would not be useful for reducing blood pressure in normotensive adults.

LLU Discipline

Nutrition and Dietetics

Department

Nutrition and Dietetics

School

School of Allied Health Professions

First Advisor

Hodgkin, Georgia

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

2017

Date (Title Page)

5-17-2017

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Nutrition Therapy; Dietetics; Nutrition; Hypertension

Keywords

Hypertension; Arginine; Beetroot powder

Type

Research Report

Page Count

16 p.

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Collection Website

scholarsrepository.llu.edu/rr/

Repository

Loma Linda University. University Libraries.

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