Abstract
Dietary nitrate may have a positive effect on our cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure. There are several substances in vegetables that can potentially provide this, of which nitrate seems to be one. Until now it is not known whether eating more nitrate-rich vegetables can have a positive effect on our health. That is why this dissertation researched the possible effect of this. From the studies of this dissertation it can be concluded that eating more nitrate-rich vegetables (200-250 grams per day) can cause a decrease of the blood pressure. This is clearly visible in healthy people and in those with high blood pressure. The effect does not seem to be present in people suffering from a more serious cardiovascular condition, in this case peripheral vascular disease. For this reason, it is interesting to recommend nitrate-rich vegetables for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, in order to delay or possibly replace the use of medication.
Defence date: 14/01/2022
