The Influence of Beetroot Juice on Racial Disparities in Vascular Health

Black adults are 30% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to White adults, and more than half of this racial disparity in cardiovascular mortality may be attributed to the substantially greater prevalence of high blood pressure and vascular dysfunction in Black adults. Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent signaling molecule and key regular of vascular function that is suspected to be reduced in black individuals, but can be enriched by dietary nitrate (e.g., arugula, spinach, beets). The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that increasing NO bioavailability via nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BRJ) will lower blood pressure and improve vascular health in Black adults.