Chewing sugary gum after eating vegetables high in nitrate can lower blood pressure, according to new research. Vegetables such as beetroot, spinach, and kale are rich in nitrate, which is absorbed from the soil. Nitrate is converted into nitrite by bacteria in the mouth, leading to effects such as the relaxation and widening of blood vessels.
How the Study Worked
Scientists investigated how this process could be enhanced to lower blood pressure. They tested the effects of asking people to chew sugary gum, theorizing that acidic gum would lower the pH level in the mouth, increasing nitrite production.
Dr. Andrew Webb, clinical senior lecturer in cardiovascular and metabolic medicine at King's College London, explained: "Whether and how the acidity of the saliva in the mouth impacts the conversion of the inactive nitrate to the more active nitrite is a fundamental question. We previously found that combining grapefruit juice with beetroot juice decreased the acidity of the saliva and inhibited the conversion of nitrate to nitrite in the saliva. So, we wanted to formally test whether doing the opposite — increasing the acidity of the saliva — would enhance the conversion of nitrate to nitrite."
Key Findings
For the study, 14 healthy volunteers were asked to chew sugary Hubba Bubba bubble gum during one study period and sugar-free Wrigley's Extra during another. They chewed the assigned gum for three to six hours after drinking a shot of beetroot juice, while data was collected from blood, saliva, and blood pressure measurements.
People's saliva pH increased after chewing Hubba Bubba. The bubble gum was also linked to 45% higher amounts of nitrite in the mouth and 25% higher levels of nitrite around the body, compared to measurements when the volunteers chewed sugar-free gum. Sugary gum also decreased blood pressure by almost 3/2 mmHg, compared to sugar-free gum.
Considerations and Implications
The researchers noted that chewing sugary gum was not a suitable therapeutic approach for people who need to manage their blood pressure and could have dental health consequences. However, they hope the findings could help sports people who consume beetroot to improve athletic performance.
Dr. Webb added: "The effects were only short-term, lasting several hours, and long-term use of sugar-containing products would not be recommended for dental health. Nonetheless, the classic culinary tradition of following a starter and a main course, especially if they contain nitrate-rich salad leaves and vegetables, with a sweet dessert — which could be fruit — may temporarily increase blood pressure-lowering and exercise enhancement. We also suggest that sugary chewing gum will have a greater effect compared to drinking sugary drinks, as it stays in the mouth for a longer period of time."
The findings were published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
