BEETROOT juice helps reduce the risk of a heart attack, a study shows.
Drinking just 70ml a day was found to more than halve heart attacks or other complications in patients with a stent in six months.
AlamyBeetroot juice helps reduce the risk of a heart attack, a study shows[/caption]
The purple juice, known to reduce blood pressure, contains nitrates which help dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow, the researchers say.
Dr Krishnaraj Rathod, from Queen Mary University of London, said: “Our patients liked that their treatment was a completely natural product that has no significant side effects.
“We will take this to the next stage of trials in the hope doctors can soon prescribe beetroot juice to ensure stents last longer.”
More than 1.3million people in Britain live with angina Many are fitted with stents to keep arteries open but they can fail.
Professor James Leiper, from the British Heart Foundation, said: “Work still needs to be done to ensure that every patient sees a long-term benefit from the procedure.
“This small study must now be scaled-up to confirm the initial observation.”