If you’re thinking about trying beetroot juice for high blood pressure, timing may matter. Beetroot juice may lower blood pressure throughout the day, so drinking it earlier may be most beneficial. However, there are instances when you might get benefits from drinking it at other times of the day.
The blood pressure-lowering effects of beetroot juice may last much of the day. Because of this, having a glass in the morning or early afternoon may be most helpful for supporting blood pressure during daily activities.
Research has shown that the blood pressure–lowering effect may last up to about 10 hours and in some cases up to 24 hours. Because of this, some researchers think daily dosing may be needed for more consistent blood pressure support.
Important to note is that not every study shows a benefit, and changes can be smaller in women or people with lower starting blood pressure.
One 2024 study looked at physically inactive postmenopausal women with high blood pressure who drank beetroot juice before doing a moderate treadmill workout. After drinking beetroot juice, their systolic (top blood pressure number) blood pressure dropped by about nine points during recovery.
The study also found better blood vessel function after exercise, which may help blood flow and lower blood pressure. While the study was small, it suggests beetroot juice could give an extra boost around workouts for some women.
Drinking beetroot juice regularly may lower blood pressure, which can add to the effects of prescription blood pressure medications. For some people, this combination could cause blood pressure to drop too low. This may be especially important for people taking multiple blood pressure medications.
If you’re taking blood pressure medication, talk with your healthcare provider about whether beetroot juice could help in your blood pressure management and, if so, when the best time to drink it would be.
Beetroot juice can start lowering blood pressure fairly quickly, but the timing varies by person. In several research studies, the largest drop in blood pressure happened about two or three hours after drinking beetroot juice. Some research found a smaller early drop within 30–60 minutes, but that effect often faded later in the day.
Beetroot juice is high in nitrate, which your body turns into nitric oxide. This is a gas that helps relax and widen blood vessels. The widening effect on blood vessels can lower blood pressure by improving blood flow. Nitrate from beetroot juice has led to small drops in blood pressure numbers, which may help support heart health over time.
If you are interested in drinking beetroot juice to lower blood pressure, consider these next steps:
- Talk with your healthcare provider: Before consuming beetroot juice—especially if you take blood pressure medication—ask whether beetroot juice is safe for you and how often you could use it.
- Start small, and be consistent: If your healthcare provider approves, begin with a modest serving, and drink it at the same time each day. Morning or early afternoon may work best with its blood-pressure–lowering effects.
- Track your blood pressure at home: Check your readings regularly. Watch for symptoms like dizziness or confusion, which may signal your blood pressure is dropping too low.
- Update your provider: Share your blood pressure readings and symptoms with your healthcare provider so they can help decide whether to continue, adjust, or stop taking beetroot juice.
