Kidney Research UK Blog New research suggests that beetroot juice may help to prevent the progression of chronic kidney disease in pregnancy
In recent results, published in Kidney International, Dr Kate Bramham and PhD student Priscilla Smith from King’s College London, have shown the potential for beetroot juice to reduce progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in pregnant women.
Pregnancy and chronic kidney disease
Women with moderate to severe CKD can have poorer pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia (a complication characterised by high blood pressure and, often, protein in the urine), due to their declining kidney function and may require dialysis during or after pregnancy. Their babies are also more likely to be born early and require special care.
Currently, no interventions have been developed to improve maternal outcomes, and dialysis has a considerable impact on the patient and their family.
Other work from the group has demonstrated that women at higher risk of pregnancy-associated CKD progression can be identified using the PREDICT risk assessment tool. This tool supports earlier risk identification, helping clinicians tailor monitoring and management for women most likely to experience CKD progression during or after pregnancy.
What is dietary nitrate?
Nitric oxide is a substance that is known to play an important role in the long-term functioning of the kidneys and regulation of blood pressure. In women with kidney disease, low nitric oxide may prevent the kidneys from coping with pregnancy.
Dietary nitrate, present in some plant-based foods including beetroot juice, increases nitric oxide levels and therefore may protect the kidneys from damage.
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Beetroot juice could be safely used during pregnancy to support kidney and blood vessel health
Kate and Priscilla recruited 108 pregnant women with CKD stage 2-5 from 8 hospitals across the UK – half received a daily beetroot juice supplement with their standard care, whilst the other half received standard care alone.
Results from this study suggest that dietary nitrate can reduce CKD progression and may protect the kidneys from damage in pregnancy.
Overall, beetroot juice was well tolerated. Compared to standard care, those who took beetroot juice had better kidney function after giving birth.
- 23% of women receiving beetroot juice experienced 11 serious adverse events (SAEs), which are harmful or unwanted side effects, compared to 50% of women receiving standard care who experienced 53 SAEs.
- Those receiving beetroot juice were also less likely to need blood pressure medications (26%) compared to those without (66%).
- Their babies were also less likely to need admission to a neonatal unit (23%) in contrast to standard care (39%).
Findings are suggestive that beetroot juice has benefits in women with more advanced kidney disease. Priscilla added “Historically, pregnant women are excluded from research, resulting in substantial gaps. It’s fantastic that our study recruitment was successful and overall, beetroot juice was well tolerated with some participants even continuing to take it after the study.”
What does this mean for patients?
These new findings suggest the potential benefits of dietary nitrate in this patient group but will need further investigation.
Kate commented: “The impact of our results may have a wider scope, particularly in populations where access to medical care is limited. Future studies aim to include this broader representation of medical systems and ethnic diversity to support women who may not have the access and support they need.”
“This work takes us one step closer to improve the health of women with kidney disease in pregnancy and beyond. I am thankful to Kidney Research UK for this grant which has enabled me to get my PhD and launch my career in obstetric nephrology.”Priscilla Smith.
Dr David Crosby, chief research officer at Kidney Research UK, added: “Pregnancy with kidney disease can be incredibly challenging, and treatments are far too limited. This study offers real hope that simple dietary approaches could help protect kidney function and improve outcomes for mothers and babies. These are promising early results, and we look forward to seeing them validated in larger clinical trials. We are proud to have supported this work and continue to fund researchers like Kate and Priscilla whose discoveries can lead to meaningful change for patients.”
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