Currently, around one-in-three adults suffer from high blood pressure - the "silent killer" which can exacerbate the risk of heart attacks and strokes affecting more than 14 million Britons.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to decrease blood pressure, although doing so can prove to be particularly challenging.
Regularly cited methods shown to lower your pressure include cutting down on your salt intake, consuming a smaller amount of processed food, as well as gentle exercise.
In fact, a daily boost of beetroot juice could lower blood pressure just as effectively as conventional medication, according to a study from Queen Mary University of London.
Approximately 14 million Britons are afflicted with the condition
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Scientists discovered that consuming 250ml of the beverage each day produced substantial reductions in blood pressure readings.
The double-blind clinical trial assessed 64 patients aged between 18 and 85 years - half of whom were already taking prescribed anti-hypertensive drugs but failing to reach target blood pressure levels, while the other half had been diagnosed with high blood pressure but were not yet on medication.
Participants who drank the daily 250ml glass of beetroot juice experienced an average decrease in blood pressure of approximately 8/4 mmHg, clawing many patients' readings back into the normal range.
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The British Heart Foundation, which funded the research, pointed out that the level of reduction achieved was comparable to that from some forms of blood pressure medication.
The remarkable effects are sourced from high levels of inorganic nitrate found naturally in beetroot and other leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale, lettuce, carrots, celery and leeks.
Patients in the intervention group experienced approximately 20 per cent improvement in blood vessel dilation capacity. They also showed around 10 per cent reduction in arterial stiffness.
These changes in blood vessel function have been associated with substantial reductions in heart disease risk, according to the researchers. Additionally, participants experienced no adverse side effects from the daily dietary nitrate supplementation.
A daily dose of beetroot juice can lower blood pressure
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Professor Amrita Ahluwalia, who led the study, said: "This research has proven that a daily inorganic nitrate dose can be as effective as medical intervention in reducing blood pressure and the best part is we can get it from beetroot and other leafy green vegetables."
She advised against boiling vegetables as dietary nitrate is water soluble, recommending instead "steaming, roasting or drinking in a juice all has a positive effect".
Dr Shannon Amoils from the British Heart Foundation acknowledged the appeal of using "a natural product, rather than another pill" but cautioned that larger trials over longer periods are needed before formal NHS recommendations can be made.
Before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle, please consult a medical professional.
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