Red-alert! New contender for 'superfood of the year', the humble but punchy beetroot, is grabbing attention in the battleground against hypertension. Thanks to an impressive entourage of nitrates and antioxidants that get to work relaxing blood vessels and brawling with inflammation, beet juice is now taking the spotlight with 36% of health-savvy individuals rooting for natural remedies to manage their blood pressure.

This little ruby vegetable has a secret weapon - it transforms its nitrates into nitric oxide upon consumption. This helpful compound can dilate blood vessels and boost oxygen and blood flow throughout the body, leading to potential reductions in blood pressure and arterial stiffness.

Still, the beet juice isn't going to become your sole magic bullet in the fight against hypertension; it's more like the catchy sidekick to your wholesome lifestyle changes and sensible diet. The beet army needs backup from regular physical activity, minimization of ultra-processed foods and those sneaky high-sodium culprits lurking in your pantry.

If you're curious about the wonders of beetroot, you'd be in good company. Research involving varying doses and lengths of consumption has returned promising results in reducing blood pressure and improving overall health. One study even found that persistence pays off with beet juice - daily consumption for 14 days delivered more improvements than a shorter stint.

Before you hitch a ride on the beet juice bandwagon, there's a cautionary note. Consuming beet juice even if you're on blood pressure medication might be safe, but that doesn't apply to all. It's always smart to check in with a healthcare provider before adding beet juice to your routine, as it could potentially dip your blood pressure too low, leading to hypotension symptoms.

Just like working out, diet doesn't equivalent to binging one thing. Too much of a good thing is often not great. So, even if you're down with the beetroot, keep things balanced and varied.

Don't write off beetroot just yet - consider it an additional, tasty tool in your hypertension management kit. It's a step away from one-size-fits-all health advice and towards a bespoke approach to personal health management. While we're not suggesting you rename your first-born 'Beetroot', this vegetable might just deserve a place at your dinner table and in your juice glass.