A new study from researchers at Wake Forest University concludes that drinking beet juice can help slow the onset of dementia in adults.  In the publication Nitric Oxide: Biology and Chemistry, the researchers contend that beet juice can increase blood flow to the brain.

According to Daniel Kim-Shapiro, director of Wake Forest’s Translational Science Center: “There have been several very high-profile studies showing that drinking beet juice can lower blood pressure, but we wanted to show that drinking beet juice also increases perfusion, or blood flow, to the brain. There are areas in the brain that become poorly perfused as you age, and that’s believed to be associated with dementia and poor cognition.”

The elevated concentration of nitrates found in beets (as well as other vegetables) causes good bacteria in the mouth to turn nitrate into nitrate.  This helps open blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow and oxygen throughout the body. This is the first study to link consumption of  beet juice with increased blood flow to the brain.  “I think these results are consistent and encouraging – that good diet consisting of a lot of fruits and vegetables can contribute to overall good health,” according to Gary Miller, associate professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science (and a project researcher).

[audio:http://hospitalstay.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/08-Vegetable.mp3|titles=Vegetable]The National Institutes of Health contributed funding for this research.