Drinking beet juice daily may promote brain health in older individuals, according to research conducted at Cornell University. A recent study demonstrated that beetroot juice consumption can increase brain blood flow – while some studies show it reduces blood pressure, the researchers wanted to demonstrate it also increased it!

Beetroot contains high concentrations of nitrates, which when consumed can be converted to nitrite by oral bacteria in your mouth. Studies have determined that nitrites can help open up blood vessels, thus increasing blood flow and oxygen, particularly in areas that lack enough.

Researchers conducted the study by monitoring 14 participants aged 70 years or over who consumed dietary nitrates over a four day period.