Fifty thousand people took part in the 23-year study. Nitrate-rich vegetables include leafy greens such as chard spinach, kale and arugula. Beetroot, celery, radishes, turnips, Chinese cabbage and parsley are also nitrate-rich vegetables.
Research showed that by simply eating one cup of raw (or half a cup cooked) nitrate-rich vegetables each day, people might be able to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease significantly.
The most significant risk reduction was for peripheral artery disease, a type of heart disease characterised by the narrowing of blood vessels of the legs. However, we also found that people had a lower risk of heart failure
*Additional information compiled by Tauhira Dean, Health24
