"Eat greens, it is useful for health", - this statement was heard by each of us in the childhood from parents, but then not everyone appreciated this.

It seems that our parents were right.

Three new studies show that natural nitrates, found in green vegetables such as spinach, lettuce and celery, support heart health and reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes.

All three studies were conducted by a group of scientists from Cambridge University and the University of Southampton (UK).

Nitrates and erythrocytes.

In the first study, co-authored by Dr. Andrew Murray of Cambridge, scientists have shown that eating large amounts of green vegetables rich in nitrates can lower the level of the erythropoietin. This hormone regulates the production of red blood cells. The results of this work were published in The FASEB Journal.

The team explains that at high altitude or in the presence of cardiovascular disease a person may lack oxygen. To deliver more oxygen to the tissues, the body produces erythropoietin and more red blood cells are formed in the blood - oxygen transport cells. But too much red blood cells in the blood can make it more dense. This means that some tissues will lack oxygen because the cells can not "squeeze" into the smallest capillaries.

The results of the latest study tell us that the use of nitrate-rich vegetables contributes to the dilution of blood by reducing the synthesis of erythrocytes. Dr. Murray says that this can be of great clinical importance.

"Here we have demonstrated that nitrates from food sometimes help regulate the delivery of oxygen to cells and tissues, combining supply and demand for it. This allows the body cells to get enough oxygen without hyperproduction of red blood cells and excessive blood thickening. Blood thinning without reducing oxygen delivery is an opportunity for preventing blood clots, preventing strokes and heart attacks, "writes Murray.

Researchers believe that the results of their work can lead to the discovery of new ways of delivering oxygen to tissues. This can improve the management of patients in intensive care units.

Nitrates protect against heart disease.

Dr. Murray then conducted another study, the results of which were recently published in The Journal of Physiology.

In the course of this study, scientists placed rats in conditions simulating a stay at high altitude in order to increase the production of red blood cells. It turned out that in such conditions, the addition of even a small amount of vegetables to their diet protects well against a whole range of cardiovascular diseases.

This is due to the fact that natural nitrates of green vegetables are associated with a substance that dilates the blood vessels and improves the blood supply of tissues. In addition, nitrates protect the proteins of the heart cells (cardiomyocytes), which is extremely important for preserving the health of this organ.

"Additives with nitrates can be useful for people who undergo hypobaric hypoxia at high altitude and for patients with diseases that are characterized by tissue hypoxia, including heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and others," the researchers concluded..

Nitrates turn "bad" fat cells into "good" ones.

In a third study published in the journal Diabetes, which was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Lee Roberts (Lee Roberts) from Cambridge, scientists found that nitrates from green vegetables can transform "bad" cells of white fat into "good" beige fat cells.

The researchers explained that beige fat cells are similar to brown cells that burn fat, and do not store it. The increased content of brown fat is associated with a lower incidence of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases.

In comments to the results of three studies, Dr. Murray wrote: "Many things have been discovered that demonstrate the important role of nitrate in lowering blood pressure and regulating metabolism. These studies open up three ways to modify the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity, as well as to alleviate cardiovascular disease and improve overall health ".

medbe. en.