This investigation evaluated the impact of a nitrate-rich diet on the extent of gingival inflammation in a cohort of periodontal aftercare patients. Forty-four (23 test/21 placebo) periodontal aftercare patients with chronic gingivitis were enrolled. At baseline, gingival index (GI), plaque con- trol record (PCR) and salivary nitrate level (SNL) were recorded, followed by sub- and supragingival debridement. Subsequently, participants were randomly provided with 100 ml bottles of a lettuce juice beverage to be consumed 39 daily over 14 days, containing either a standardized amount of nitrate resulting in an intake of approximately 200 mg nitrate per day (test) or being devoid of nitrate (placebo).
The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the impact of the 14- day consumption of a nitrate-rich diet on the the extent of gingival inflammation in a cohort of periodontal aftercare patients. Recorded parameters were gingival index, plaque control record, salivary nitrate/nitrite level and vascular parameters