People’s Pharmacy | Will beet root supplements bring blood pressure down?
Q. I have had horrible reactions from several blood pressure meds, and nifedipine almost killed me. My physician has suggested that I try beet root supplements. Are there any cautions regarding side effects or effectiveness for those?
A. Research has shown that beet root juice can lower systolic blood pressure (the upper number) by as much as 10 points (Journal of Nutrition, Sep. 1, 2020). systematic review of eleven studies confirmed that 200 to 800 mg of nitrate a day from beet root juice lowers systolic blood pressure (Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases, Oct. 2024).
You may want to avoid beet root chews, as ConsumerLab.com found very little nitrate in the products it tested. ConsumerLab.com was satisfied with its testing of Nutricost Organic Beet Root Powder and Lakewood Organic Pure Beet Juice. It found a huge range of nitrate in various products, and cautions that taking much more than 300 mg/day could put a person at risk for methemoglobinemia. That is a serious blood disorder.
We have not seen any assessments of potential side effects of drinking 8 ounces of beet root juice daily. Some people find the flavor off-putting, but others appreciate it.
You can learn more about beet root and other natural approaches to controlling blood pressure in our eGuide to Blood Pressure Solutions. This online resource is located under the Health eGuides tab at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
Q. I have had chronic diarrhea for 18 months, since being diagnosed with lymphoma. I have taken numerous medications and seen a handful of providers with no relief. An online search suggested lymphoma can cause chronic diarrhea. It also led me to Smecta. Have you heard of this or know anything about it? It is fairly expensive but I am willing to try it if it works.
A. Smecta is the brand name for a type of clay (diosmectite) that acts to bind toxins and excess liquid in the intestines. More studies have been done in children, but one placebo-controlled study of 346 adults found that smecta significantly reduced diarrhea (Gastroenterology Research and Practice, June 30, 2011). You might be relieved to learn that long-term use (five weeks) of this product does not disrupt the microbiome (BMC Microbiology, Feb. 12, 2022). We hope it works for you.
Q. Kiwis have made a HUGE difference in my digestion. They really combat constipation beautifully. If I eat more than a half, though, I get stomach cramps.
It takes a few weeks for them to ripen, so I buy five or more every time I shop and keep them in a bowl until ripe. (They’ve never rotted on me.) I eat a high fiber, whole food diet. I find other remedies, like prunes, stop working after eating them for a few days.
A. A systematic review of seven randomized trials found that kiwi and kiwifruit extract was more effective than placebo in producing spontaneous bowel movements (Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Oct. 6, 2022). A study of people with constipation associated with irritable bowel syndrome found that kiwifruit extract increased bowel movements (JGH Open, Aug. 9, 2025). It also reduced pain, but this was significant only in people who started the study with a high level of discomfort.
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In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them (Crown)
This story was originally published April 1, 2026 at 3:00 AM with the headline "People’s Pharmacy | Will beet root supplements bring blood pressure down?."