Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/8MDyrS9WZAQ   Using a mouthwash following your exercise session may prevent the beneficial lowering of your blood pressure that physical activity typically triggers.  This observation was just published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine.   A group of 23 healthy adults ran on the treadmill for 30 minutes during two separate sessions.  At 30 minute intervals following the exercise, they rinsed out their mouths with either an antibacterial mouthwash or mint-flavored water.  Blood pressure measurements revealed that the antibacterial mouthwash reduced the typical blood pressure reductions by one-half.   The researchers found that the antibacterial mouthwash prevented a bacteria-triggered synthesis of the nitrites and nitrates that open blood vessels and reduce blood pressures.  This piece of the puzzle suggests that those suffering from elevated blood pressures should avoid anti-bacterial mouthwashes.   C. Cutler, M. Kiernan, J.R. Willis, L. Gallardo-Alfaro, P. Casas-Agus