Nitrate Derived From Beetroot Juice Lowers Blood Pressure in Patients With Arterial Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: Although there are a considerable number of clinical studies on nitrate (NO(3)) rich beetroot juice (BRJ) and hypertension, it is difficult to indicate the real effects of NO(3) from BRJ on the BP of hypertensive patients because there are still no estimates of the effects of NO(3) derived from BRJ on the BP of hypertension patients. OBJECTIVE: To clarify these effects, we developed a systematic literature review with a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). DESIGN: The searches were accomplished through EMBASE, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and LILACS databases. The study included single or double-blinded RCTs and participants older than 18 years with hypertension [systolic BP (SBP) > 130 mmHg and diastolic BP (DBP) > 80 mmHg]. NO(3) BRJ was required to be consumed in a format that possibly blinded participants/researchers. These studies should also report the SBP and DBP values (mmHg) measured before and after the treatment. Risk of Bias tools and GRADE were enforced. RESULTS: Seven studies were included (218 participants). BRJ intervention time ranged from 3 to 60 days with daily dosages of 70–250 mL of BRJ. After the intervention with NO(3) from BRJ, SBP underwent significant changes (p < 0.001) of −4.95 (95% CI: −8.88; −1.01) (GRADE: ⊕⊕⊕○ Moderate), but not for DBP (p = 0.06) −0.90 mmHg (95% CI: −3.16; 1.36) (GRADE: ⊕⊕⊕○ Moderate), compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The NO(3) derived from BRJ reduces SBP, but not DBP in patients with arterial hypertension. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=269339.