A recent study published in Kidney International Reports by Dr Kate Bramham and PhD student Priscilla Smith from King’s College London found that beetroot juice may be effective at reducing the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) during pregnancy.

Women with moderate to severe CKD can have poorer pregnancy outcomes as a result of declining kidney function. They may require dialysis, and there is increased risk of preterm birth and the need for special care.

Bramham and Smith recruited 108 pregnant women with CKD from eight UK hospitals. Half received a daily beetroot juice supplement with standard care, while half received standard care alone.

The researchers found that the group taking the beetroot juice supplement had better kidney function after giving birth than the standard care alone group.

• Seven women receiving the beetroot supplement (23.3%) experienced 11 serious adverse events, compared with 27 women receiving standard care alone (50.9%) who had 53 – around 70% fewer serious adverse events overall.
• Women in the beetroot-taking group were less likely to need blood pressure medications (26%) compared to those not taking the beetroot supplement (66%).
• Their babies were less likely to need admission to a neonatal unit (23%) in comparison to the standard care alone group (39%).

Nitric oxide is known to play an important role in the long-term functioning of the kidneys and regulation of blood pressure; beetroot contains dietary nitrate that increases levels of it. Though the findings suggest beetroot juice may be effective in women with more advanced kidney disease, the researchers highlight that further research is needed.