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Increased Nitrate Intake From Beetroot Juice Over 4 Weeks Changes the Composition of the Oral, But Not the Intestinal
Rebeka Fejes1,2,3, Joana Séneca4,5, Petra Pjevac4,5
1Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Dietary nitrate from beetroot juice altered the oral microbiome in older adults with hypertension, increasing beneficial nitrate-reducing bacteria. Intestinal microbiome composition remained unchanged.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Nutrition Science
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Inorganic dietary nitrate intake is linked to improved cardiovascular health.
- The nitrate-metabolizing pathway involves oral and gut bacteria.
- Effects of nitrate on the oral and intestinal microbiomes in older adults with hypertension are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of beetroot juice-derived nitrate on the oral and intestinal microbiomes.
- To assess changes in microbial composition in older adults with treated hypertension.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.
- 15 participants (56-71 years) consumed nitrate-rich or nitrate-depleted beetroot juice for 4 weeks.
- Oral and intestinal microbiome composition was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Oral microbiome analysis showed a significant increase in Neisseria and a decrease in Veillonella relative abundance (PERMANOVA p < 0.001).
- No significant alterations were observed in the intestinal microbiome composition.
- Dietary nitrate selectively modulated the oral microbiome.
Conclusions:
- Increased dietary nitrate intake from beetroot juice can selectively modulate the oral microbiome in older adults with hypertension.
- This modulation promotes an increased abundance of nitrate-reducing species.
- These findings suggest a potential mechanism linking dietary nitrate to improved cardiovascular health outcomes.
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