Beetroot juice, exercise, and cardiovascular function in women planning to conceive
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Published version
Author(s)
Osman, Mubarak MA
Mullins, Edward
Kleprlikova, Hana
Wilkinson, Ian B
Lees, Christoph
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Prepregnancy optimization of cardiovascular function may reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia. We aimed to assess the feasibility and effect of preconception cardiovascular monitoring, exercise, and beetroot juice on cardiovascular parameters in women planning to conceive. DESIGN AND METHOD: Prospective single-site, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Thirty-two women, aged 18-45 years, were allocated into one of four arms (1 : 1 : 1 : 1): exercise, beetroot juice, exercise plus beetroot juice and no intervention for 12 weeks. Blood pressure (BP) was measured at home daily. Cardiac output (CO) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were assessed via bio-impedance. RESULTS: Twenty-nine out of 32 (91%) participants completed the study. Adherence to daily BP and weight measurements were 81 and 78%, respectively (n = 29). Eight out of 15 (53%) of participants did not drink all the provided beetroot juice because of forgetfulness and taste. After 12 weeks, exercise was associated with a reduction in standing TPR (-278 ± 0.272 dynes s cm-5, P < 0.05), and an increase in standing CO (+0.88 ± 0.71 l/min, P < 0.05). Exercise and beetroot juice together was associated with a reduction in standing DBP ( 7 ± 6 mmHg, P < 0.05), and an increase in standing CO (+0.49 ± 0.66 l/min, P < 0.05). The control group showed a reduction in standing TPR ( 313 ± 387 dynes s cm-5) and standing DBP ( 8 ± 5mmHg). All groups gained weight. CONCLUSION: Exercise and beetroot juice in combination showed a signal towards improving cardiovascular parameters. The control group showed improvements, indicating that home measurement devices and regular recording of parameters are interventions in themselves. Nevertheless, interventions before pregnancy to improve cardiovascular parameters may alter the occurrence of hypertensive conditions during pregnancy and require further investigation in adequately powered studies.
Date Issued
2024-01-01
Date Acceptance
2023-08-22
Citation
Journal of Hypertension, 2024, 42 (1), pp.101-108
ISSN
0263-6352
Publisher
Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Start Page
101
End Page
108
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Hypertension
Volume
42
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters
Kluwer Health, Inc. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative
Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CCBY), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Kluwer Health, Inc. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative
Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CCBY), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37728100
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
Netherlands
Date Publish Online
2023-09-20