Drinking a cup of beetroot juice can lower blood pressure, researchers say. Drinking 250ml (8oz) cut high blood pressure readings by 10mm of mercury (mmHg) in a study of 15 patients, bringing some into the normal range, the journal Hypertension reports.
Most marked after three to six hours, the effect was detectable a day later.
Scientists say the nitrate in beetroot widens blood vessels to aid flow. And many people with angina use a nitrate drug to ease their symptoms.