TABLE 1

Randomized, controlled studies evaluating nitrate supplementation on blood pressure in healthy volunteers

ReferenceCohortDesignInterventionTreatment DurationBaseline BP (mm Hg)Max ΔBP (mm Hg)
Larsen et al., 2006HVCrossoverNaNO3, 0.1 mmol/kg per day3 daysClinic BP not statedN.S./−3.7
Age = 24n = 17NaCl, 0.1 mmol/kg per day placebo
Webb et al., 2008bHVCrossoverBeetroot juice (500 ml), 22.5 mmol nitrate1 dayClinic 108/70−10.4/−8.0
Age = 26n = 14Matched-volume water control
Bailey et al., 2009HVCrossoverBeetroot juice, 11.2 mmol nitrate6 daysClinic BP not stated−6/ N.S.
Age = 26n = 8Matched-volume black currant juice control
Kapil et al., 2010HVCrossoverKNO3, 24 mmol1 dayClinic 110/70−9.4/−6.0
Age = 23n = 20KCl, 24 mmol placebo
Kapil et al., 2010HVCrossoverBeetroot juice (250 ml), 5.6 mmol nitrate3 hClinic 121/71−5.4/ N.S.
Age = 25n = 9Matched-volume water control
Bailey et al., 2010HVCrossoverBeetroot juice, 5.1 mmol nitrate6 daysClinic 125/73−5/−2
Age = 28n = 7Matched-volume black currant juice control
Vanhatalo et al., 2010HVCrossoverBeetroot juice, 5.2 mmol nitrate15 daysClinic 127/72−7/ N.S.
Age = 29n = 8Matched-volume black currant juice control
Sobko et al., 2010HVCrossoverJapanese diet, 0.3 mmol/kg per day nitrate10 daysClinic BP not statedN.S./−4.5
Age = 36n = 25Low-nitrate diet (nitrate content not stated)
Lansley et al., 2011bHVCrossoverBeetroot juice, 6.2 mmol nitrate6 daysClinic 129/66−5/ N.S.
Age = 22n = 9Nitrate-deplete beetroot juice placebo
Lansley et al., 2011aHVCrossoverBeetroot juice, 6.2 mmol nitrate2.5 hClinic 131/72−6/ N.S.
Age = 21n = 9Nitrate-deplete beetroot juice placebo
Cermak et al., 2012aHVCrossoverBeetroot juice, 8 mmol nitrate6 daysClinic 119/74N.S.
Age = 31n = 12Nitrate-deplete beetroot juice placebo
Coles and Clifton 2012HVCrossoverBeetroot juice, 7.5 mmol nitrate1 dayClinic 132/81N.S.
Age = 43n = 30Matched-volume apple juice (colored)24 h ABP not statedN.S.
Bahra et al., 2012HVCrossover8 mmol KNO33 h116/67−4.9/ N.S.
Age = 28n = 148 mmol KCl placebo
Bondonno et al., 2012HVCrossoverHigh-nitrate meal (spinach), 2.9 mmol nitrate3.3 hClinic 112/68−2.7/ N.S.
Age = 47n = 30Low-nitrate meal (apple) or drink (rice milk), each < 0.1 mmol
Kelly et al., 2013HVCrossoverBeetroot juice, 9.6 mmol nitrate3 daysClinic 125/74−5/−3
Age = 64n = 12Nitrate-deplete beetroot juice placebo
Liu et al., 2013HVCrossoverHigh-nitrate meal (spinach), 3.5 mmol nitrate3.5 hClinic 119/71−7.5/ N.S.
Age = 59n = 26Low-nitrate meal + rice milk (nitrate content not stated)(peak 2 h)
Joris and Mensink, 2013HVCrossoverBeetroot juice, 8.0 mmol nitrate4 hClinic 135/93N.S./−4
Age = 61n = 20Control drink (not specified)
Wylie et al., 2013HVCrossover (four limbs)Beetroot juice, 4.2, 8.4, and 16.8 mmol nitrate1 dayClinic 119/6816.8 mmol: −9/−4; 8.4 mmol: −10/−3; 4.2 mmol: −5/ N.S.
Age = 23n = 10140 ml water control
Bond et al., 2013HVCrossoverBeetroot juice, 12.1 mmol nitrate2 hClinic BP not stated−5/ N.S.
Bond et al., 2014Age = 21n = 12Matched-volume orange juice
Bondonno et al., 2014bHVCrossoverHigh-nitrate diet, estimated >4.8 mmol nitrate daily7 daysClinic 130/76N.S.
Age = 47n = 38Low-nitrate diet, estimated <1.6 mmol nitrate daily
Rammos et al., 2014HV, moderate CV riskParallel (two-arm)NaNO3, 0.15 μmol/kg per day28 daysClinic 137/80−8/ N.S.
Age = 63n = 10 to 11Matched–molar weight NaCl placebo
Jajja et al., 2014HV, overweightParallel (two-arm)Beetroot juice, 2.6–6.5 mmol nitrate daily21 daysHome 130/77Home: −7.2/ N.S.; clinic: N.S.; 24 h ABP: N.S.
Ashor et al., 2015Age = 62n = 10 to 11Matched-volume black currant juice controlClinic 135/77 24 h
ABP 126/81
Jovanovski et al., 2015HVCrossoverHigh-nitrate soup (spinach), 13.6 mmol nitrate daily7 daysClinic 116/69−4.1/−4.4
Age = 25n = 27Low-nitrate soup, 0.01 mmol daily control
Ashworth et al., 2015HVcrossoverHigh-nitrate food, estimated 5.5 mmol nitrate daily7 daysClinic 107/63−4.0/ N.S.
Age = 20n = 19Low-nitrate food, estimated 0.13 mmol nitrate daily
Bourdillon et al., 2015HVCrossoverNaNO3, 0.1 mmol/kg per day3 daysPlethysmographic finger BP 125/75N.S.
Age = 31n = 12NaCl, 0.1 mmol/kg per day placebo
Lee et al., 2015HVCrossoverBeetroot juice, 6.4 mmol nitrate15 daysClinic 116/77−4/−4
Age = 22n = 14Nitrate-deplete beetroot juice placebo
Jonvik et al., 2016HVCrossover (four-limb)NaNO3, 12.9 mmol5 hClinic BP not statedNaNO3: N.S./−4; rocket: −6/−6
Age = 28n = 18Rocket, beetroot, and spinach juice, all 12.9 mmol nitrateBeet: −5/−7.5; spinach: −7/−5
Choi et al., 2016HVCrossover (two-limb)Beetroot juice, 5.6 mmol nitrate15 days132/86Both SBP and DBP reduced
Age = 23n = 12Colored water control
Raubenheimer et al., 2017HVCrossover (two-limb)Beetroot juice, 12.9 mmol nitrate3 h133/89−7.9/−5.7
Age = 64n = 12Nitrate-deplete beetroot juice placebo
Jones et al., 2019HVParallel (two-arm)Beetroot juice, 6.5 mmol nitrate4 wk129/75N.S.
Age = 63n = 7–11Prune juice control

  • HV, healthy volunteers.