Consumption of Nitrate-Containing Vegetables Is Inversely Associated With Hypertension in Adults: A Prospective Investigation From the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

Regular consumers of vegetables rich in nitrates are less likely to become hypertensive.

This study evaluated the connection between high dietary exposure to nitrates from vegetables and the onset of hypertension (HTN). Using validated food frequency questionnaires, researchers collected and assessed the dietary information of 1,546 persons without hypertension over a 3-year period. The blood pressures of all the participants were measured at regular interval during the study. 

Researchers noticed that high consumers of nitrate-containing vegetables were more to stay free from hypertension than low and non consumers of these plant foods. This study concluded that "higher dietary nitrate intake from vegetables sources may have a protective effect against development of HTN."