CEC
ARTICLE
1 OF 5
ARTICLES
RESEARCH REVIEW
COULD BAD BREATH BE
GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH
AND FITNESS?
Researchers set out to investigate whether using antibacterial mouthwash could negate the blood
pressure-lowering benefits of exercise by reducing the nitrate-enabling activity of oral bacteria.
Review by Dr Mike Climstein PhD and Dr Joe Walsh PhD
Title: Post-exercise hypotension and skeletal muscle oxygenation is
regulated by nitrate-reducing activity of oral bacteria
Authors: Dr Cutler and colleagues. (Institute of Health & Community,
University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK)
Source: Free Radical Biology and Medicine 143:252-259.
If the bacteria in the mouth
are removed with the use of
antibacterial mouthwash,
nitrite cannot be produced and
the blood vessels remain in
their current state
58 | NETWORK SUMMER 2019
Introduction: We see a large number of patients in the SCU student-
led Exercise Physiology clinic, and the majority of them are on either
beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium
channel blockers or some other class of antihypertension medication
to help reduce their blood pressure to normal levels. It is important to
note that the American College of Cardiology and American Health
Association have now defined high blood pressure (i.e. hypertension)
as a blood pressure of > 130/80 mmHg (the old threshold was >
140/90 mmHg). Clearly, the medical and health experts are taking
a more conservative approach to what threshold represents high
blood pressure! This is highly beneficial to the individual’s health, as
it reduces the likelihood of cardiovascular disease (i.e. heart attacks),
cerebrovascular disease (i.e. strokes) and kidney disease.
Unfortunately, we see a large number of patients in their late 30s