Sipping a certain ruby red juice might be a secret to lowering blood pressure in older adults — great news considering nearly 50% of U.S. adults, or about 120 million people, live with hypertension, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A 2025 study published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine found that drinking beetroot juice twice daily decreased blood pressure specifically in adults in their 60s and 70s.

“Our heart pumps blood through arteries to deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout our bodies,” explains Barbara Schechter, DO, a cardiologist at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center. But when the force against artery walls is consistently too high, it’s called high blood pressure, or hypertension.

The scary reality? High blood pressure is often referred to as the “silent killer” because most people don’t experience noticeable symptoms, says Dr. Schechter. Uncontrolled hypertension — defined as persistent readings above 130/80 mmHg — raises the risk of serious health issues. 

That’s why regular checkups are essential to keep your blood pressure within the healthy range, usually below 120/80 mmHg. And beetroot juice might help you keep it there.

Read my latest for FoodandWine.com – Drinking This Ruby-Red Juice Could Help Lower Blood Pressure, Researchers Say