The lowly beet possesses some features of greatness. Beets contain a wealth of a nutrient called betaine. Betaine reduces blood concentration of homocysteine which has an association with stroke and heart disease.
According to "Hypertension", the journal of the American Heart Association, beet juice can reduce high blood pressure. It may be an effective natural treatment for some cardiovascular problems.
"British scientists at the Queen Mary University of London found that drinking beet juice lowered blood pressure to healthy levels within 24 hours. In fact, it was just as effective as prescription nitrate tables in treating hypertension. In a previous study two years ago, the same research team had first observed that drinking beetroot juice lowered blood pressure -- now they've figured out exactly why."
Beet juice contains the organic form of nitrate. Beet nitrate increases the level of nitric oxide in the cardiovascular system. Nitric oxide sends messages to smooth muscle tissue telling it to relax, and causes vasodilation and increased blood flow. Blood pressure decreases.
http://www.naturalnews.com/029227_beet_juice_blood_pressure.html