Pickled Beets for Blood Pressure | Livestrong.com (2024)

FAQs

Pickled Beets for Blood Pressure | Livestrong.com? ›

High blood pressure increases your risk for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. A balanced diet with plenty of vegetables can help you maintain a healthy blood pressure or lower high blood pressure, and pickled beets are a tasty part of a healthy diet.

Pickled beets are naturally rich in nitrates, which your body converts into nitric oxide. This molecule helps blood vessels dilate, which protects against high blood pressure ( 8 ). Research suggests that beet products can lower blood pressure by up to 10 mm Hg.

Drinking a cup of beetroot juice each day could significantly lower the blood pressure of people with high blood pressure, according to research we funded at Queen Mary University of London.

Pickled beets are generally safe to eat. But, depending on how they're made, some varieties of pickled beets may pack salt and added sugars. Too much salt can increase your blood pressure. While too much sugar can lead to weight gain and other health problems.

How long it takes for beet juice to lower blood pressure can vary. However, a 2008 study stated that beet juice lowers blood pressure in about 3 hours. Research suggests that drinking beet juice daily for at least 60 days provides the most benefits, helping significantly improve hypertension.

Canned and pickled beets likely contain high amounts of sodium, so if it's heart health you're after, these choices should be limited.

Aunt Nellie's Pickled Beets contain no fat, saturated fat or cholesterol; they are kosher and gluten-free.

Eating foods like bananas, blueberries, and beets can help lower your blood pressure. While some people are able to manage high blood pressure with diet alone, others may need to add additional lifestyle changes or medication. No matter what your treatment plan looks like, a heart-healthy diet will help.

Can you eat beets everyday? It's always best to follow a varied diet. Eating a small amount of beetroot every day is unlikely to do any harm, but a high intake could lead to low blood pressure, red or black urine and feces, and digestive problems for anyone with a sensitivity to the nutrients.

Too many pickled beets, however, can overload our system with sodium if the brine mixture is heavy in salt. Overall, pickled beets are versatile with a mild, earthy flavor that can be eaten as a snack, side dish, or added to salads.

Are store bought pickled beets healthy? ›

They are a good source of potassium, calcium, and iron. The micronutrient content of pickled beets varies depending on how the beets were processed. Because pickled beets are fermented, they are rich in probiotics. Probiotics are "friendly bacteria" present in your digestive system.

Beets can keep your kidneys and liver healthy.

Keep in mind, however, that beets are also rich in compounds called oxalates, which can contribute to kidney stones. So eat beets in moderation if you're prone to kidney stones.

Roast Them

Roasting is an overall healthy cooking method with minimal vitamin loss, particularly vitamin C. Roasted beets are rich and sweet with slight mineral flavors. Remember to avoid long cooking times and high temperatures, as these can reduce nutrients. Try using smaller bulbs if you want to prepare them faster.

In some studies, drinking about 2 cups of beet juice daily or taking nitrate capsules lowered blood pressure in healthy adults. Beet juice may also help your stamina when you exercise.

Studies have shown that beets can significantly lower blood pressure after only a few hours of consumption. Both raw beet juice and cooked beets were found to be effective at lowering blood pressure and decreasing inflammation. However, raw beet juice had a greater effect.

Pickles are very high in sodium because it's an important part of the brining process. Consuming too much salt in your daily diet can contribute to high blood pressure. Anyone who is on blood pressure medication or looking to reduce their sodium intake should eat pickles in moderation or look for low sodium options.

Pickled beets contain 169 milligrams of ‌sodium‌ per half-cup of canned sliced beets. Sodium, regulated by your kidneys, helps control your body's ‌fluid balance‌ and plays a role in ‌sending nerve impulses‌ and ‌maintaining muscle function‌.

While beet nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and calcium, can still be found in pickled beets, their benefits can be better leveraged with fresh beets, frozen beets, or beetroot powder as these don't have added sucrose or salt.

People prone to low blood pressure should also avoid consuming large quantities of beetroot or beet supplements, as the nitrates in beets can bring down blood pressure even more. If you are taking medication for high blood pressure, you should consult a healthcare provider before starting a beetroot supplement.