Abstract
Nitrate-rich beetroot juice supplementation has been shown to improve cardiovascular and cognitive function in younger and older adults via increased nitric oxide production. However, it is unclear whether the level of effects differs between the two groups. We hypothesized that acute supplementation with nitrate-rich beetroot juice would improve cardiovascular and cognitive function in older and younger adults, with the potential for greater improvements in older adults. Thirteen younger (18–30 years) and 11 older (50–70 years) adults consumed either 150 mL of nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BR; 10.5 mmol nitrate) or placebo (PL; 1 mmol nitrate) in a double-blind, crossover design, 2.25 h prior to a 30-min treadmill walk. Plasma nitrate and nitrite concentrations, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), cognitive function, mood and perceptual tests were performed throughout the trial. BR consumption significantly increased plasma nitrate (p < 0.001) and nitrite (p = 0.003) concentrations and reduced systolic BP (p < 0.001) in both age groups and reduced diastolic BP (p = 0.013) in older adults. Older adults showed a greater elevation in plasma nitrite (p = 0.038) and a greater reduction in diastolic BP (p = 0.005) following BR consumption than younger adults. Reaction time was improved in the Stroop test following BR supplementation for both groups (p = 0.045). Acute BR supplementation increased plasma nitrite concentrations and reduced diastolic BP to a greater degree in older adults; whilst systolic BP was reduced in both older and younger adults, suggesting nitrate-rich BR may improve cardiovascular health, particularly in older adults due to the greater benefits from reductions in diastolic BP.
Highlights
The world’s population is aging, with the number of people aged over 60 years expected to increase from 901 million to 1.4 billion by 2030 [1]
Reaction time was improved in the Stroop test following beetroot juice (BR) supplementation for both groups (p = 0.045)
Supplementation with BR resulted in a greater increase in plasma [NO2 − ] and showed a trend for a greater increase in plasma [NO3 − ] in older compared to younger adults (Figure 2)
Summary
The world’s population is aging, with the number of people aged over 60 years expected to increase from 901 million to 1.4 billion by 2030 [1]. Rates of disease and age-related dysfunction are increasing rapidly [2] and are expected to cause a dramatic increase in costs in the health and disability services areas [1] This has led to an increased interest in the use of food-based supplements and bioactive compounds to improve or maintain health and body functions [3]. Nitrite is swallowed and enters the bloodstream where it can be reduced further to NO [5] It is through this second, exogenous pathway of NO production that nitrate-based food supplements such as BR are likely to exert their potential health benefits [4,6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
