Consider adding beetroot juice to your diet during menopause to combat heart health problems and more, as per a new study.
Experiencing hot flashes, mood swings and hormonal fluctuations are not the only downsides of hitting menopause. There is a lot more. A woman’s heart health can also be at a risk during menopause, which marks the end of her reproductive cycle. Making lifestyle and dietary adjustments form one aspect of managing health issues during menopause. A new study suggests that drinking beetroot juice during menopause may have multiple health benefits.
As per a new clinical trial by the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) in the US, drinking beetroot juice can improve blood flow through arteries and curb the risk of heart diseases in postmenopausal women. This makes the humble beetroot juice can be a boon for women in this struggling phase of later life.
Why drink beetroot juice during menopause?
Beetroot juice is a rich source of nitrates that help widen and dilate the arteries and veins in the cardiovascular system. When the blood can flow easily through our heart to our entire body, the stress on the heart naturally reduces. The outcome of drinking beetroot juice persistently has more long-term benefits on a woman’s heart health in comparison to hormone replacement therapy which only shows effects during the first few years of menopause. Overtime, relying more on hormone therapy can increase the risk of cancer and stroke.
On the other hand, beetroot juice comes as a natural and safe way to enhance the cardiovascular health of a woman going through this stage. Postmenopausal women often experience spiked blood pressure and decreased vascular function due to hormonal changes, making them more susceptible to heart attacks, says nutritionist Avni Kaul.
“Beetroot juice contains antioxidants such as betalains, which reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, further protecting the heart,” she adds.
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The link between menopause and heart health
The menopause phase poses a great risk to a woman’s heart health. Before menopause, the estrogen levels in a woman’s body are ideal, which has a protective effect on the heart, keeping the walls of the arteries flexible and elastic. However, during menopause, the estrogen levels naturally dip, and women lose their body’s natural ability to shield the heart.
Benefits of beetroot juice for women
Daily consumption of beetroot juice promotes healthy circulation in the postmenopausal phase, finds a study published in Frontiers of Nutrition. Beetroot juice, which is rich in nitrates, aids in the widening and relaxing of blood vessels and protects post-menopausal women who experience low estrogen levels in the body. The study also found that the benefits of drinking beetroot juice were maintained even in the late postmenopausal phase, indicating its long-term effect in women.
The nitrate, which is a dominant compound in beetroot juice gets converted into nitric oxide in the blood which then relaxes the blood vessels while improving the blood flow and reducing blood pressure. It also boosts anti-inflammatory properties.
Nitric oxide assists in dilating blood vessels, enhancing blood flow and reducing blood pressure, all of which are critical factors in cardiovascular health, says the expert.
Other benefits of beet juice
There are multiple other health benefits of beetroot juice. Regular consumption may:
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• Reduce blood pressure
• Reduce LDL, also known as bad cholesterol
• Improve stamina of exercise
• Enhance the strength of muscles in people with heart failure
• Reduce or prevent fatty liver
• Support overall well-being during chemotherapy
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