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Cited by 146Nitric Oxide and Endothelin EffectsCardiovascular Health and Disease PreventionNutritional Studies and Diet

Dietary nitrite and nitrate: a review of potential mechanisms of cardiovascular benefits

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Machha, Ajay, Schechter, Alan N.·2011·European Journal of Nutrition
DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0192-5PMC PMC3489477
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Abstract

Purpose In the last decade, a growing scientific and medical interest has emerged toward cardiovascular effects of dietary nitrite and nitrate; however, many questions concerning their mode of action(s) remain unanswered. In this review, we focus on multiple mechanisms that might account for potential cardiovascular beneficial effects of dietary nitrite and nitrate. Results Beneficial changes to cardiovascular health from dietary nitrite and nitrate might result from several mechanism(s) including their reduction into nitric oxide, improvement in endothelial function, vascular relaxation, and/or inhibition of the platelet aggregation. From recently obtained evidence, it appears that the longstanding concerns about the toxicity of oral nitrite or nitrate are overstated. Conclusion Dietary nitrite and nitrate may have cardiovascular protective effects in both healthy individuals and also those with cardiovascular disease conditions. A role for nitrite and nitrate in nitric oxide biosynthesis and/or in improving nitric oxide bioavailability may eventually provide a rationale for using dietary nitrite and nitrate supplementation in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s00394-011-0192-5

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  • The growing interest in nitrates has stimulated the development of functional foods, including beetroot-based products and nitrate-enriched formulations designed to deliver effective doses.

    “The growing interest in nitrates has stimulated the development of functional foods, including beetroot-based products and nitrate-enriched formulations designed to deliver effective doses [9,243].”

    From Dietary Nitrate-Rich Vegetables as Natural Modulators of Health: Mechanisms and Benefits in Ageing Populations (2026) · cites this paper as [243]

    The Introduction (page not supplied) describes growing interest in dietary nitrate, and the Hypertension section reports a study using a measured dose of beetroot juice. The paper does not say that this interest stimulated the development of functional foods or nitrate-enriched formulations designed to deliver effective doses. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Dietary nitrate provides an alternative NO source, independent of eNOS, under hypoxic or acidic conditions.

    “Dietary nitrate provides an alternative NO source, independent of eNOS, under hypoxic or acidic conditions [23,243].”

    From Dietary Nitrate-Rich Vegetables as Natural Modulators of Health: Mechanisms and Benefits in Ageing Populations (2026) · cites this paper as [243]

  • Foods themselves-both plant- and animal-derived-contain natural antimicrobial compounds, including polyphenols, glucosinolates, peptides, and in some cases, antibiotic residues.

    “foods themselves—both plant- and animal-derived—contain natural antimicrobial compounds, including polyphenols, glucosinolates, peptides, and in some cases, antibiotic residues [9,243].”

    From Dietary Nitrate-Rich Vegetables as Natural Modulators of Health: Mechanisms and Benefits in Ageing Populations (2026) · cites this paper as [243]

    The “Sources of nitrite and nitrate” section discusses nitrate in plant foods, added nitrite in processed meats, and the effect of antibacterial mouthwash on oral bacteria. Searches for food-derived antimicrobial compounds and antibiotic residues found no passage addressing polyphenols, glucosinolates, antimicrobial peptides, or antibiotic residues in foods. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.74)

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Authors
Machha, A., & Schechter, A. N.
Affiliations
National Institutes of Health (US)
Corresponding author
Schechter, Alan N.
ORCID
Schechter, Alan N.
Venue
European Journal of Nutrition
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2011-05-31
Volume
50
Issue
5
Pages
293-303
ISSN
  • 1436-6207 (ISSN-L)
  • 1436-6215
DOI
10.1007/s00394-011-0192-5
PMC
PMC3489477
OpenAlex
W2027107707
Cited by
146
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 6
FWCI
1.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • European Journal of Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (ZIADK025104)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Health and Disease Prevention
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
Keywords
dietary nitrite, dietary nitrate, cardiovascular health, nitric oxide, endothelial function, vasorelaxation, platelet aggregation, nitric oxide bioavailability, nitrite toxicity, cardiovascular disease prevention, dietary supplementation
MeSH terms
Animals, Biological Availability, Cardiovascular Diseases, Diet, Endothelium, Humans, Nitrates, Nitric Oxide, Nitrites, Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors, Dietary Supplements

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