Beetroot helps treat heart failure.

Combining beet juice with exercise may help improve muscle function in heart failure patients, according to research by American scientists at the University of Washington, published in the journal Circulation: Heart Failure.

This study builds on previous work showing that absorbing nitrates through food may help increase muscle capacity in athletes. Nitrates are abundant in beets, spinach, celery, and several other green vegetables. When athletes exercise, nitrates are converted into nitric oxide, which can help improve blood pressure and cardiovascular health because respiration increases oxygen intake. The research team hypothesizes that the benefits of nitrates for athletes may also occur in heart failure patients – those whose heart pumping capacity gradually decreases.

Beetroot contains a lot of nitrates. (Image: MNT)

Experiments showed that two hours after patients drank beetroot juice, muscle capacity increased by 13% in the knee – where nitrates provide the greatest benefit due to rapid movement. The health of heart failure patients improved significantly within 2-3 months of exercise and beetroot juice consumption.

Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper