Diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including raised blood pressure, are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Higher intakes of dietary nitrate, found abundantly in root vegetables such as beetroot, have been shown to have health benefits including lowering blood pressure and improving the elasticity of blood vessels. Bacteria which reside in the mouth and those in the gastrointestinal tract play an important role in converting dietary nitrate to nitrite and nitric oxide (a chemical which promotes the relaxation of blood vessels). In particular, removal of oral bacteria by using antiseptic mouthwash is accompanied by an increase in blood pressure in subjects with normal blood pressure, even after consuming nitrate-rich foods. To date, very little is known about the role of these oral bacteria in the control of blood pressure, and if there are any differences in bacterial composition between individuals.

Interested volunteers will be provided with an outline of the study and asked to complete a medical and lifestyle questionnaire (in person, by email or over the phone). Potentially suitable participants will be identified and asked to attend a screening session after a 12 h overnight fast (not eating during this time and only drinking water) during which the study will be explained in more detail before a consent form is signed. Anthropometric measurements will then be taken including weight, height and blood pressure. A 9 ml blood sample will also be collected on site at the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences (Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition). Subjects who meet the initial inclusion criteria will be invited to a further screening session during which time a dentist will check for dental diseases (e.g. current dental cavities or periodontal infection) and saliva flow rate. Volunteers without periodontal disease and with normal saliva flow will then be invited to participate in the study.

Eligible subjects will then be randomised to one of two treatments: i) up to 70 ml (the amount given will be equivalent to 3.7 mg/kg body weight) beetroot juice (James White Drinks Limited, UK) or ii) a matched volume of placebo beetroot juice (control, James White Drinks Limited, UK) to be consumed daily for 8 weeks. As drinking water is a major source of dietary nitrate, subjects will be provided with a water filter to reduce the nitrate level in their tap water for drinking and cooking during the study period. There will be a wash out period of 4 weeks between the intervention juices. In total, volunteers will be involved in the study for 20 weeks (five months).

On the day before each baseline study visit (weeks 0 and 12), volunteers will be required to fast overnight after having a low nitrate evening meal and only drinking low nitrate mineral water (Buxton mineral water), which will be provided to them, during this time. They will refrain from strenuous exercise and alcohol. On the morning of the study visit, the volunteers will be asked not to brush their teeth before they come to the clinical unit for their study visit.

When they arrive in the fasted state, the participants will be asked to provide a spot urine sample and a stool sample. Body weight and composition will be measured using the Tanita weighing scale, saliva sample and an oral bacteria sample will be collected by swabbing the tongue with a cotton swab. Volunteers will be asked to lie down for 20 minutes prior to the measurement of blood pressure and pulse wave analysis (PWA) using the Mobil-O-Graph device followed by the assessment of microvascular reactivity using Laser Doppler Imaging with iontophoresis. A blood sample of 20 ml (equivalent to just over 1 tablespoon) will then be taken before a light breakfast is provided. Volunteers will then be given a toothbrush and toothpaste to brush their teeth and asked to complete an online food frequency questionnaire (EatwellUK).

During the four-week wash-out period between interventions, participants will be instructed to avoid any beetroot juice drinks and maintain their usual dietary and lifestyle habits.

Inclusion Criteria:

Male and female;

• A signed consent form;
• Blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg;
• BMI range 18.5 - 39.9 kg/m2;
• Age 18-64 years;
• Non-smoking;
• Not taking blood pressure lowering medication or using medications known to influence vascular function such as a glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray;
• No recent (within 3 months) or current use of antibiotics.

Exclusion criteria are:

Diagnosed with a chronic illness;

• Anaemia defined as a haemoglobin < 115 g/l for women and <130 g/l for men;
• Individuals with food allergies or allergies to medicated mouthwash or ingredients in the oral products;
• Requirements to take long-term medication active on the oral cavity including prebiotics and probiotics or have taken antibiotics within the last 3 months;
• Gingivitis diagnosis, or periodontal disease or chronic oral complaints or existing oral pathology.
• Less than four natural (enamel) buccal surfaces of upper molars available;
• Presence of fixed or removable oral appliances (e.g., dentures, orthodontic wires); xerostomia (a persistent dry mouth) diagnosis;
• Current smoker;
• Already participating in a dietary intervention study or clinical trial;
• Excessive alcohol consumption (> 14 units/wk);
• Females who are pregnant or lactating;
• Individuals not willing to give up using mouthwash or change their dental hygiene routine. Regular consumption or use of xylitol-based products such as toothpaste and chewing gum.