Cardioprotective effects of vegetables: is nitrate the answer?
Abstract
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of certain forms of cancer and cardiovascular disease, but the mechanisms behind this protection are not completely understood. Recent epidemiological studies suggest a cardioprotective action afforded specifically by green leafy vegetables. We here propose that these beneficial effects are related to the high content of inorganic nitrate, which in concert with symbiotic bacteria in the oral cavity is converted into nitrite, nitric oxide, and secondary reaction products with vasodilating and tissue-protective properties.
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Ingestion of foods rich in nitrates results in elevated plasma levels of both nitrate and nitrite and may help explain the health benefits of certain diets such as Mediterranean.
“Ingestion of foods rich in nitrates results in elevated plasma levels of both nitrate and nitrite and may help explain the health benefits of certain diets (e.g. Mediterranean) [58].”
From Inorganic nitrite therapy: historical perspective and future directions (2011) · cites this paper as [58]
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References 40 · Cited by 185
- Authors
- Lundberg, J. O., Feelisch, M., Björne, H., Jansson, E. Å., & Weitzberg, E.
- Affiliations
- Karolinska Institutet (SE)
- Boston University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Lundberg, Jon O.
- Venue
- Nitric Oxide
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2006-12
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 359-362
- ISSN
- 1089-8603 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2032477413
- Cited by
- 185
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 9.72
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Nitric Oxide (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health
- European Commission
- Hjärt-Lungfonden
- Vetenskapsrådet
- Ekhagastiftelsen
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
- Keywords
- cardioprotection, dietary nitrate, leafy vegetables, nitrite, oral bacteria, vasodilation, cardiovascular disease, fruit and vegetable intake, cancer risk
- MeSH terms
- Cardiotonic Agents, Humans, Nitrates, Nitric Oxide, Nitrites, Vegetables
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