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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rogue Valley gubernatorial candidate blasts Gov. Brown on climate change ... Historical Society executive director stepping down ... Police say Grants Pass man admits to 50 vehicle thefts in Rogue Valley ... Rogue Valley gubernatorial candidate blasts Gov. Brown on climate change ... Historical Society executive director stepping down ... Police say Grants Pass man admits to 50 vehicle thefts in Rogue Valley ... Dr. Murray Feingold: 'Beet' high blood pressure with borscht Comment By Dr. Murray Feingold More Content Now MailTribune.com By Dr. Murray Feingold More Content Now Posted Feb. 26, 2015 at 12:55 PM By Dr. Murray Feingold More Content Now Posted Feb. 26, 2015 at 12:55 PM » Social News Borscht, or beet soup, is today’s topic. Some of you may have never tasted this soup, but in many Slavic and eastern European countries it is the “soup du jour.” It has also become popular in the United States. There is a great deal of variation as to how borscht is made, and it frequently depends upon old family recipes. Contents can include beets, cabbage, potatoes, meat, fish, tomatoes, beans, mushrooms, garlic and spices. It is served either hot or chilled, often with sour cream. Years ago, there was also the “Borscht Belt” that was a popular resort area in the Catskills Mountains in upstate New York. It was given this name because the majority of vacationers were Jewish, and borscht soup was very popular with this ethnic group. It was at the Borscht Belt resorts that many Jewish comedians got their start. But let’s get back to borscht and what it has to do with health. The results of a recent report indicated that ingesting beet or borscht soup or beet juice can result in lowering high blood pressure. Beets are sources of nitrates, and after they are ingested they are converted into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide dilates or widens the blood vessels and this is associated with lowering high blood pressure. Two groups of 32 individuals with high blood pressure were studied. One group received beet soup on a daily basis for four weeks, and the other did not. Results showed a significant lowering of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the treated or beet soup group. These changes were noted within the first week. There were no changes in the blood pressures of the non-beet juice participants. An accompanying editorial pointed out that the study was not long enough to support claims of long-term blood pressure control, but it does show promise. From a nutritious point of view, borscht is not a high-caloric food, although it certainly depends upon all the ingredients that are added. So, for all of you borscht lovers, at least from this study it looks as if you can not only enjoy your favorite soup, but as an added benefit, it may even lower your high blood pressure. Massachusetts-based Dr. Murray Feingold is the physician in chief of The Feingold Center for Children and president of the Genesis Fund. The Genesis Fund is a nonprofit organization that funds the care of children born with birth defects, mental retardation and genetic diseases. More Content Now By Dr. Murray Feingold More Content Now MailTribune.com By Dr. Murray Feingold More Content Now Posted Feb. 26, 2015 at 12:55 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501