Fig. 1

The possible hypotensive mechanisms of beetroot juice in regards to NO₃ and bioactive compounds; NO₃ in converted to NO via the NO₃ - NO₂- NO pathway. NO decreases the population of acidogenic cariogenic bacteria, increases oral pH, reduces the vascular stiffness and ROS production, and subsequently, improves the endothelial function. Decreased ROS production along with increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, reduce the oxidative stress. NO also activates the SGC- cGMP pathway, which decreases the renovascular resistance and promotes the renal function. NO directly decreases the angiotensin II type I receptor gene expression and produces NO₂- S- nitrosothiol via the increased S - nitrosylation of angiotensin II type I receptor, which together reduce the NADPH oxidase activity and therefore, improve the renal blood flow and vascular relaxation and change the Na/ water retention. Other bioactive compounds (e.g. polyphenols, betalains, etc.) reduce NF-κB activities, suppress Cox- 2, reduce the inflammatory markers, improved the endothelial function and therefore, reduced the blood pressure. NO Nitric Oxide, ROS Reactive Oxygen Species, SGC Soluble Guanylate Cyclase, cGMP Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate, NADPH Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate, NF-κB Nuclear Factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells