The blood pressure lowering effect of nitrate-rich beetroot juice in older people may be due to specific changes in their oral microbiome, according to the largest study of its kind.

Researchers at the University of Exeter conducted the study, published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine, comparing responses between a group of older adults to that of younger adults. Previous research has shown that a high nitrate diet can reduce blood pressure, which can help reduce risk of heart disease.

Nitrate is crucial to the body and is consumed as a natural part of a vegetable-rich diet. When the older adults drank a concentrated beetroot juice ‘shot’ twice a day for two weeks*, their blood pressure decreased – an effect not seen in the younger group.

The new study, funded by a BBSRC Industrial Partnership Award, provides evidence that this outcome was likely caused by the suppression of potentially harmful bacteria in the mouth. An imbalance between beneficial and harmful oral bacteria can decrease the conversion of nitrate (abundant in vegetable-rich diets) to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is key to healthy functioning of the blood vessels, and therefore the regulation of blood pressure.

Study author Professor Anni Vanhatalo, of the University of Exeter, said: “We know that a nitrate-rich diet has health benefits, and older people produce less of their own nitric oxide as they age. They also tend to have higher blood pressure, which can be linked to cardiovascular complications like heart attack and stroke. Encouraging older adults to consume more nitrate-rich vegetables could have significant long term health benefits. The good news is that if you don’t like beetroot, there are many nitrate-rich alternatives like spinach, rocket, fennel, celery and kale.”

The study recruited 39 adults aged under 30, and 36 adults in their 60s and 70s through the NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility. The trial was supported by the Exeter Clinical Trials Unit. Each group spent two weeks taking regular doses of nitrate-rich beetroot juice and two weeks on a placebo version of the juice with nitrate stripped out. Each condition had a two week “wash out” period in between to reset. The team then used a bacterial gene sequencing method to analyse which bacteria were present in the mouth before and after each condition.

In both groups, the make-up of the oral microbiome changed significantly after drinking the nitrate-rich beetroot juice, but these changes differed between the younger and older age groups.

The older age group experienced a notable decrease in the mouth bacteria Prevotella after drinking the nitrate rich juice, and an increase in the growth of bacteria known to benefit health such as Neisseria. The older group had higher average blood pressure at the start of the study, which fell after taking the nitrate-rich beetroot juice, but not after taking the placebo supplement.

Co-author Professor Andy Jones, of the University of Exeter, said: “This study shows that nitrate-rich foods alter the oral microbiome in a way that could result in less inflammation, as well as a lowering of blood pressure in older people. This paves the way for larger studies to explore the influence of lifestyle factors and biological sex in how people respond to dietary nitrate supplementation.”

Dr Lee Beniston FRSB, Associate Director for Industry Partnerships and Collaborative Research and Development at BBSRC, said: “This research is a great example of how bioscience can help us better understand the complex links between diet, the microbiome and healthy ageing. By uncovering how dietary nitrate affects oral bacteria and blood pressure in older adults, the study opens up new opportunities for improving vascular health through nutrition. BBSRC is proud to have supported this innovative partnership between academic researchers and industry to advance knowledge with real-world benefits.”

The paper is titled ‘Ageing modifies the oral microbiome, nitric oxide bioavailability and vascular responses to dietary nitrate supplementation’ and is published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine.

A groundbreaking new clinical trial reveals that people with type 2 diabetes can enjoy a glass of 100 % orange juice at breakfast without adversely affecting blood sugar levels.

The study, published in the international journal Nutrition and Diabetes, compares the effects of consuming whole oranges and fruit juice on blood sugar levels and insulin response, with surprising results.

Type 2 diabetes is a growing global health issue, affecting nearly 4.6 million people in the UK alone, with an estimated 1.3 million more potentially undiagnosed, according to Diabetes UK. Lifestyle factors, especially diet, play a critical role in managing and preventing this condition.

Conducted by scientists at the University of Hasselt in Belgium, the study involved normal-to-overweight adults with well-controlled type 2 diabetes. Participants consumed a standard high-carbohydrate breakfast on three separate occasions, each time paired with either whole orange pieces, a 250 ml glass of 100 % orange juice, or an orange-flavoured drink with added sugars.

Blood glucose and insulin levels were measured over four hours following each meal.

Lead researcher Dr. Kenneth Verboven explained: “We believed that the lowest blood glucose levels would be seen when someone ate fruit with breakfast while orange juice and a sugary drink would cause higher glucose levels. In fact, there were no differences. We think this was because most of the rise in blood glucose and insulin came from the bread eaten at our standard carbohydrate rich breakfast. The small amounts of sugars from the fruit or drinks were inconsequential.

“This doesn’t mean we recommend that people with diabetes should have drinks with added sugars at breakfast as these typically have no nutritional benefit. However, 100% orange juice is different as the sugars come directly from the fruit and it contains similar vitamins, minerals and bioactives to whole oranges. While fruit remains the healthiest addition to breakfast as it contains some fibre, a small daily glass of 100% fruit juice is a convenient alternative when fruit isn’t an option”.

A recent study from Ipsos commissioned by Swedish food tech company Picadeli found 86 % of Britain’s Gen Z adults fail to meet WHO guidelines for fruit and vegetable intake — incorporating a daily glass of 100 % fruit juice can help bridge this gap.

Pure orange juice and other 100 % fruit juices are classified as minimally processed, containing no added sugars, flavourings, or preservatives under both EU and UK law. Just one glass of orange juice provides over 80 % of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C, an essential nutrient that supports immunity and skin health.

Dr. Carrie Ruxton, award-winning nutritionist, commented: “With fruit intake alarmingly low across Europe, adding a small daily glass of fruit juice into your diet can be an easy way to make sure you consume important nutrients and vitamins. This study shows that you don’t need to avoid fruit juice if you have well-controlled diabetes and can instead benefit from the vitamins and minerals. Choosing a high fibre breakfast, such as oats or bran flakes, is a good way to help limit those blood sugar spikes”.

The prospect of a family Christmas is proving to be far from joyous for Britain’s young consumers, as the latest research from Mintel finds almost six in ten (58 %) 16-24-year-olds say spending time with their family over the festive period is stressful — considerably higher than the national average of 42 %. Stress declines rapidly with age as just 18 % of consumers aged 65 and over anticipate family time this Christmas will be stressful.

Meanwhile, the nation’s children are set to be winners this Christmas, as almost a quarter (23 %) of parents plan to spend more on toys/games this year, compared to (18 %) in 2023.

Mintel sales predictions

Mintel forecasts retail sales by value in November and December (both for in-store and online on food and non-food) to hit £ 95.4 billion. This represents an increase of 1.4 % compared to last November and December when sales reached £ 94.1 billion. Retailers face tougher comparative figures this year compared to 2023, when inflation was higher. However, we expect slightly stronger volume growth, with total sales by volume estimated to grow 1.6 % compared to a -2.0 % decline in 2023, helped by stronger spending intention from select consumer groups (particularly high earners) for the festive period.

Nick Carroll, Category Director of Mintel Retail Insights, said: “Spending time with loved ones is at the heart of festive celebrations, but the reality is that for many, extended periods with family can also create stressful situations. Brands can lean into these potentially tension-inducing family celebrations by offering escapism, especially for younger consumers. Ensuring younger shoppers can still express their individuality during party season is important, and brands can lean into the energy of 2024, as Converse and Charli XcX’s Christmas campaign clearly does. While there’s no escape for those hosting Christmas, brands can be inspired by Ninja Kitchen’s campaign featuring David Beckham, which highlights products that make hosting easier. Wellbeing-related gifting, or self-gifting, will be a key trend this year to help individuals enjoy some ‘me-time’.

“Confidence has been shaky in 2024, with the wounds of the cost of living crisis still healing for most, and the signals for short-term prospects of the UK economy and standard of living at best mixed. However, the festive period is typically when consumers look to shrug off any negativity of the preceding year and ultimately let off some steam. In 2023, the financial pressure was too much to ignore and spending suffered, but the signs are that there will be a little more scope to cut loose in 2024.

“In ‘essential’ areas such as food and drink and children’s gifting, the indications are that a broader church of shoppers will look to, as much as they can, indulge a little more. This will most directly benefit the grocers, but in gifting there will be far more opportunity for premium products and retailers.”