Thursday, December 12, 2024
spot_img

Mouthwash use reduces the benefits of exercise

Date:

Share post:

spot_img
spot_img

Researchers have found that the blood pressure-lowering effect of exercise is significantly reduced when people rinse their mouths with antibacterial mouthwash, rather than water – showing the importance of oral bacteria in cardiovascular health.
“Scientists already know that blood vessels open up during exercise, as the production of nitric oxide increases the diameter of the blood vessels (known as vasodilation), increasing blood flow circulation to active muscles,” said study lead author Raul Bescos, Professor at the University of Plymouth.
For the study, published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 23 healthy adults were asked to run on a treadmill for a total of 30 minutes on two separate occasions, after which they were monitored for two hours.
On each occasion at one, 30, 60 and 90 minutes after exercise they were asked to rinse their mouths with a liquid – either antibacterial mouthwash (0.2 per cent chlorhexidine) or a placebo of mint-flavoured water.
Their blood pressure was measured and saliva and blood samples were taken before exercise and at 120 minutes after exercise.
The study found that when participants rinsed with the placebo, the average reduction in systolic blood pressure was -5.2 mmHg at one hour after exercise.
However when participants rinsed with the antibacterial mouthwash, the average systolic blood pressure was -2.0 mmHg at the same time point. Systolic blood pressure refers to the highest blood pressure level when the heart is squeezing and pushing the blood round the body.
The results show that the blood pressure-lowering effect of exercise was diminished by more than 60 per cent over the first hour of recovery and totally abolished two hours after exercise when participants were given the antibacterial mouthwash.
“These findings show that nitrite synthesis by oral bacteria is hugely important in kick-starting how our bodies react to exercise over the first period of recovery, promoting lower blood pressure and greater muscle oxygenation,” said study co-author Craig Cutler from the University of Plymouth.
“In effect, it’s like oral bacteria are the ‘key’ to opening up the blood vessels. If they are removed, nitrite can’t be produced and the vessels remain in their current state,” Cutler said.
“Existing studies show that, exercise aside, antibacterial mouthwash can actually raise blood pressure under resting conditions, so this study followed up and showed the mouthwash impact on the effects of exercise,” Cutler added. (IANS)

spot_img
spot_img

Related articles

Manipur pays rich tributes to women freedom fighters on historic Nupi Lal Day

Imphal, Dec 12: The people of Manipur on Thursday paid heartfelt tributes to women freedom fighters who took...

Income tax refunds jump 46.3 pc to Rs 3.04 lakh crore in April-Nov

New Delhi, Dec 12: The number of tax refunds has recorded a 46.31 per cent jump to Rs...

Indian banking sector’s health remains robust, govt policy working very well: Top bankers

New Delhi, Dec 12: As Rahul Gandhi’s allegations about the poor condition of Indian banks, especially public sector...

India’s nuclear power capacity has doubled in last 10 years: Jitendra Singh

New Delhi, Dec 12: India's nuclear power generation capacity has nearly doubled in the last 10 years from...