Functional foods for augmenting nitric oxide activity and reducing the risk for salt-induced hypertension and cardiovascular disease in Japan

•Salt-induced hypertension is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Japan.•Subnormal nitric oxide activity mediates initiation of salt-induced hypertension.•Increased dietary nitrate increases nitric oxide activity and reduces blood pressure.•Many Japanese vegetables are rich in nitrate and promote healthy blood pressure.•High nitrate vegetables may be considered functional foods for blood pressure control.