Beetroot Supplementation Research Articles

Exploring the Potential Benefits of Interventions When Addressing Simulated Altitude Hypoxia during Male Cyclist Sports: A Systematic Review

Training in hypoxic environments enhances endurance, but the various influences of training protocols and supplementation for efficient performance are not yet clear. This systematic review explored the effects of different supplementations and interventions used to optimize the aerobic and anaerobic performance of cyclists. Data were collected from the following sources: PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, WOS, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Studies that explored the effects of supplementation or intervention during cycling were selected for analysis. Five studies (67 male cyclists; mean age, 23.74–33.56 years) reported different outcomes from supplementation or intervention during the acute hypoxia of cyclists. Three studies (42 male cyclists; mean age, 25.88–36.22 years) listed the benefits of beetroot juice in preserving SpO2 (pulse oxygen saturation) and enhancing high-intensity endurance performance, effectively preventing the reduction in power output. This systematic review provided evidence that the different effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC), sildenafil, and beetroot (BR) supplementation and intervention did not present a statistically greater benefit than for normoxia groups, but BR supplementation promoted the benefits of SpO2. Future research should evaluate the duration and higher FiO2 (simulated altitude, hypoxia) levels of hypoxia in training protocols for cyclists. This is important when determining the effectiveness of supplements or interventions in hypoxic conditions and their impact on sports performance, particularly in terms of power output.

Acute beetroot supplementation may improve blood pressure but not exercise economy in female masters swimmers

It is known that beetroot supplements may improve exercise economy and blood pressure, but this has mainly been studied in males. Given that older female athletes are underrepresented in the literature, we aimed to determine if acute beetroot supplementation (BRS) improves exercise economy and blood pressure in masters female athletes (swimmers) during a treadmill exercise test. Methods: 11 participants (57.8±10.5 y) underwent 2 randomized, double-blinded trials, ingesting beetroot (BE) or placebo (PL). Salivary NO2- (sNO2-) and blood pressure (BP) were measured pre-ingestion (Base), pre-exercise (Pre), and 5 min post-exercise (Post). Oxygen consumption (VO2) was measured during the modified Balke test until HR reached 85% of age-predicted maximum. Exercise economy (ExEc) was defined as the average relative VO2 during min 3-4.5 of the test. sNO2- was determined using NO2- detection strips. Results: sNO2- increased from Base to Post in BE vs PL (32.5±7.0 vs 2.7±3.9% change, p=0.001). No treatment differences existed for ExEc (BE: 15.51±0.47 vs PL: 15.71±0.53 ml·kg-1·min-1, p=0.48). Diastolic BP was significantly lower in BE vs PL (Base: 74.6±1.7 vs 73.2±2.3, Pre: 73.6±1.8 vs 74.5±2.1, Post: 74.5±1.7 vs 76.1±2.2 mmHg, p=0.03, treatment by time). Conclusion: Acute BRS lowered diastolic BP, but did not improve exercise economy in these trained, normotensive athletes. Further research is warranted in menopausal and post-menopausal females, including those who are hypertensive, and in other female masters athlete groups.

Does Beetroot Supplementation Improve Performance in Combat Sports Athletes? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

While studies on dietary nitrate (NO3-) supplementation and its impact on combat sports performance are increasing, finite conclusions from currently available investigations remain unclear. Thus, the present systematic review examined the acute and chronic ergogenic effect(s) of dietary nitrate intake from beetroot on different aspects of combat sports performance. A systematic search for randomized placebo-controlled studies investigating the effects of beetroot supplementation on combat sports outcomes was performed through Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scielo, Sport Discus, and Cochrane Library databases up to 2 January 2023. The different terms related to beetroot and to combat sports were connected in the search strategies using the Boolean operators 'AND' and 'OR'. A total of nine studies with good methodological quality (based on the Cochrane risk of bias tool) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Seven studies used an acute supplementation strategy, while the other two studies utilized chronic supplementation. Findings showed beetroot intake may be an effective tool to improve oxidative metabolism and muscle force production (i.e., isokinetic and isometric) in combat sports athletes. However, these effects may depend on the population, intake duration, muscle group activated, and exercise type. Future studies are required to (1) understand the effects on female athletes and (2) elucidate the impacts of dosing protocols and specific exercise modalities for enhancing combat sports performance.

Influence of Beetroot Supplementation on Oxygen Muscle Saturation of Semi-Professional Soccer Players Following a Repeated Sprint Test

Influence of Beetroot Supplementation on Oxygen Muscle Saturation of Semi-Professional Soccer Players Following a Repeated Sprint Test

Influence of acute beetroot juice supplementation on cold-induced vasodilation and fingertip rewarming.

Vasoactive ingredients in beetroot (BR) such as nitrate are known to induce vasodilation in temperate conditions. This study investigated the effect of BR ingestion on cold induced vasodilation (CIVD) and rewarming of finger skin temperature (Tfing) during and after hand immersion in cold water. Twenty healthy males (mean ± SD; age 22.2 ± 0.7 years, height 172.6 ± 6.0cm, body mass 61.3 ± 11.7kg) repeated a hand cold water immersion test twice with prior BR or water beverage ingestion (randomised order). They rested for 2h in thermoneutral conditions (27°C, 40% relative humidity) after consuming the beverage, then immersed their non-dominant hand in 8°C water for 30min. They then rewarmed their hand in the ambient air for 20min. Skin temperature at seven body sites, Tfing, finger skin blood flow (SkBFfing), and blood pressure were measured. During hand immersion parameters of CIVD (Tfing and SkBFfing) were not different between BR and water conditions although skin temperature gradient from proximal to distal body sites was significantly smaller with BR (P < 0.05). During rewarming, SkBFfing and cutaneous vascular conductance were significantly higher with BR than with water (P < 0.05). The rewarming speed in Tfing and SkBFfing was significantly faster with BR at 15- (BR 1.24 ± 0.22 vs water 1.11 ± 0.26°C/min) and 20-min rewarming (P < 0.05). Additionally, individuals with slower rewarming speed with water demonstrated accelerated rewarming with BR supplementation. BR accelerated rewarming in Tfing and SkBFfing after local cold stimulus, whereas, CIVD response during hand cold immersion was not affected by BR ingestion.

Effect of plant-based functional foods for the protection against salt-induced endothelial dysfunction

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of four formulations of plant-based functional foods on the protection against salt-induced endothelial dysfunction. A randomized crossover design was employed. Ten healthy subjects were recruited, and on five separate occasions they received, in random sequence one of the following 5 treatments: 250 mL of plain water (control) alone, and with beetroot powder, celery powder, green tea extract or beetroot powder with green tea extract prior to consuming 150 mL of high-salt chicken broth. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and pulse-wave velocity (PWV) were measured at fasting and at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min postprandial. Comparing with control, beetroot supplementation led to a significantly increased HR at 30, 60 and 90 min postprandially ( P = 0.025, 0.004, < 0.001, respectively). No significant difference was observed for FMD, BP and PWV between control and any of the treatments. Salt reduction may still be the most effective strategy to improve vascular health. • Plant-based foods may protect against salt-induced endothelial dysfunction (SED) • This is thought to be due to their high NO and/or antioxidant activity • Our results showed foods high in these compounds were unable to revert SED • Salt reduction may still be the most effective strategy to improve vascular health

Effect of beetroot supplementation on 10 km time trial performance of distance runners

Objective: To find out the effect of 15 days of beetroot juice (BRJ) supplementation on 10 km time trial performance in trained distance runners of University level.Methods: Thirty trained athletes,15 males age = 26.3 y ± 1.52, height 170.5 ± 0.2 cm, and 15 females, age = 25.2 y ± 1.30, height 157.8 ± 0.3 cm were selected for the present study. Two experimental and two control groups were made consisting of males and females separately. The first group of male and female (Experimental Group) consumed the BRJdaily 250 ml/dayand the second group (Control Group) did not consume beetroot juice. Both groups underwent a regular athletics training programme. All the subjects were tested on Ten Km Time Trial (TT)performance before supplementation of BRJ and after 15 days of supplementation of BRJ. Results: The significant effect of BRJ supplementationwas observed (p &lt; 0.05) between pre and post measures of 10 km TT in experimental group. BRJ supplementation significantly improved performance in 10 km TT in both groups (respectively male; P&lt; 0.006; F=11.09, ES = .480, female; P &lt; 0.000, F=40.45, ES = .771.Conclusion: Consumption of BRJ250 ml/day in improved 10 km time trial performance in traineddistance runners.

The Effect of Beetroot Ingestion on High-Intensity Interval Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Dietary nitrate supplementation has shown promising ergogenic effects on endurance exercise. However, at present there is no systematic analysis evaluating the effects of acute or chronic nitrate supplementation on performance measures during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT). The main aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the evidence for supplementation of dietary beetroot—a common source of nitrate—to improve peak and mean power output during HIIT and SIT. A systematic literature search was carried out following PRISMA guidelines and the PICOS framework within the following databases: PubMed, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and SPORTDiscus. Search terms used were: ((nitrate OR nitrite OR beetroot) AND (HIIT or high intensity or sprint interval or SIT) AND (performance)). A total of 17 studies were included and reviewed independently. Seven studies applied an acute supplementation strategy and ten studies applied chronic supplementation. The standardised mean difference for mean power output showed an overall trivial, non-significant effect in favour of placebo (Hedges’ g = −0.05, 95% CI −0.32 to 0.21, Z = 0.39, p = 0.69). The standardised mean difference for peak power output showed a trivial, non-significant effect in favour of the beetroot juice intervention (Hedges’ g = 0.08, 95% CI −0.14 to 0.30, Z = 0.72, p = 0.47). The present meta-analysis showed trivial statistical heterogeneity in power output, but the variation in the exercise protocols, nitrate dosage, type of beetroot products, supplementation strategy, and duration among studies restricted a firm conclusion of the effect of beetroot supplementation on HIIT performance. Our findings suggest that beetroot supplementation offers no significant improvement to peak or mean power output during HIIT or SIT. Future research could further examine the ergogenic potential by optimising the beetroot supplementation strategy in terms of dosage, timing, and type of beetroot product. The potential combined effect of other ingredients in the beetroot products should not be undermined. Finally, a chronic supplementation protocol with a higher beetroot dosage (>12.9 mmol/day for 6 days) is recommended for future HIIT and SIT study.

Effects of Beetroot Supplementation on Recovery After Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: A Systematic Review.

Beetroots have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help attenuate inflammation and oxidative stress, enhancing recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). To evaluate the effects of beetroot supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammation, and recovery after EIMD. SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched, and hand-searching was performed by looking to relevant studies that were cited in other studies. For a study to be included in this review, the following inclusion criteria had to be met: (1) research conducted with human participants, (2) original articles in peer-reviewed publications, (3) original studies that had investigated beetroot supplementation intervention on muscle damage and recovery, (4) research conducted with 1 control/placebo group, and (5) articles published from inception to October 2020. Systematic review using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement. Level 3. Two of the 4 authors independently extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of the articles with the PEDro scale. All discrepancies were resolved through a consensus meeting. A total of 9 studies were included in this review. The methodological quality of the included studies ranged from moderate to high. Most of the studies found a better recovery of functional variables and muscle soreness, but improvements in markers of muscle damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress were not reported. The existing evidence suggests that a short-term beetroot supplementation has the potential to accelerate recovery of functional measures and muscle soreness, but further research is needed to clarify if a longer supplementation period (with some days before exercise and some days after) could also promote recovery of markers of muscle damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Beetroot as a Potential Functional Food for Cancer Chemoprevention, a Narrative Review.

Patients with cancer are prone to several debilitating side effects including fatigue, insomnia, depression and cognitive disturbances. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) as a health promoting functional food may be potentially beneficial in cancer. As a source of polyphenols, flavonoids, dietary nitrates and other useful nutrients, beetroot supplementation may provide a holistic means to prevent cancer and manage undesired effects associated with chemotherapy. The main aim of this narrative review is to discuss beetroot’s nutrient composition, current studies on its potential utility in chemoprevention and cancer-related fatigue or treatment-related side effects such as cardiotoxicity. This review aims to provide the current status of knowledge and to identify the related research gaps in this area. The flavonoids and polyphenolic components present in abundance in beetroot support its significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities. Most in vitro and in vivo studies have shown promising results; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying chemopreventive and chemoprotective effects of beetroot have not been completely elucidated. Although recent clinical trials have shown that beetroot supplementation improves human performance, translational studies on beetroot and its functional benefits in managing fatigue or other symptoms in patients with cancer are still lacking.

Effects of red beetroot supplementation on gut microbiome and short chain fatty acid profiles in weaned pigs

Effects of red beetroot supplementation on gut microbiome and short chain fatty acid profiles in weaned pigs

Beetroot supplementation in women enjoying exercise together (BEE SWEET): Rationale, design and methods

BackgroundPostmenopausal women exhibit higher rates of disability and cardiovascular disease (CVD) with aging compared to men. Whereas habitual exercise training is a known strategy to enhance physiologic function in men and premenopausal women, exercise-related adaptations are often modest in postmenopausal women. We propose dietary nitrate (beetroot juice) administered prior to exercise training may be a feasible approach to improve mobility and cardio-metabolic health outcomes in postmenopausal women. MethodsOur randomized, placebo-controlled study aims to determine preliminary effects sizes for changes in functional mobility and endothelium-dependent vasodilation across three study arms: exercise only (EX), exercise + placebo (EX + PL), and exercise + beetroot (EX + BR). Thirty-six postmenopausal women are recruited in small cohorts wherein group exercise is implemented to facilitate social support and adherence to an 8-week training progression. Participants are randomized to one of three study arms (n = 12 per group) following baseline assessments. Post-intervention assessments are used to determine pre-post changes in outcome measures including distance covered during a 6 min walk test, walking economy, muscle speed and power, and endothelial-dependent vasodilation as determined by flow-mediated dilation. Measures of feasibility include recruitment, retention, adherence to exercise prescription, perceived exercise session difficulty, and adverse event rates. DiscussionEvidence-based, translational strategies are needed to optimize exercise training-related adaptations in postmenopausal women. Findings will inform larger randomized clinical trials to determine if pre-exercise consumption of beetroot juice is an efficacious strategy to promote mobility and attenuate CVD disease risk.

Beetroot Supplementation Lowers Blood Pressure, But Does Not Improve Exercise Efficiency In Female Masters Swimmers

Beetroot supplements are high in dietary nitrate, which increases nitric oxide (NO) in the blood circulation. While NO can lower blood pressure and reduce the oxygen cost of exercise, this has mainly been studied in male athletes. Less is known about the effects of BRS in female athletes, especially swimmers. PURPOSE: To determine if acute beetroot supplementation (BRS) lowers blood pressure (BP) and improves exercise efficiency in female masters swimmers during treadmill exercise. METHODS: 11 swimmers (57.8±10.5 y) underwent 2 randomized, double-blinded trials and ingested beetroot supplement (BE) or placebo (PL). BP, heart rate (HR), and NO response, determined indirectly via changes in salivary nitrite (NO2-), was measured pre-ingestion (Base), pre-exercise (Pre), and 5 min post-exercise (Post). Oxygen consumption (VO2), HR, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured during the modified Balke test until HR reached 85% of age-predicted maximum. Changes in salivary NO2- were determined using NO2- detection strips and quantified as percentage of reference standard. 2-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine differences in BP, HR and salivary NO2-. Peak VO2, treadmill time, and peak RPE were analyzed by 2-tailed t-tests. RESULTS: Salivary NO2- increased from Base to Post in BE compared to PL (32.5 ± 7.0 vs 2.7 ± 3.9%, p=0.001). No treatment differences existed for peak VO2 (BE: 29.3 ± 2.0 vs PL: 29.7 ± 2.7 ml·kg-1·min-1, p=0.31), treadmill time (BE: 15.5 ± 1.9 vs PL: 15.4 ± 1.8 min, p=0.92), or peak RPE (BE: 6.2 ± 0.5 vs PL: 6.5 ± 0.5, p=0.26). Diastolic BP was significantly lower in BE vs PL, respectively (Base: 74.6 ± 1.7 vs 73.2 ± 2.3, Pre: 73.6 ± 1.8 vs 74.5 ± 2.1, Post: 74.5 ± 1.7 vs 76.1 ± 2.2 mmHg, p=0.03, treatment x time), while systolic BP changes trended towards significance in BE vs PL (Base: 116.6 ± 1.5 vs 115.5 ± 1.6, Pre: 115.0 ± 1.7 vs 116.0 ± 1.7, Post: 116.5 ± 1.4 vs. 118.3 ± 1.5 mmHg, p=0.053). HR at Base, Pre, and Post was not different in BE vs PL (62.0 ± 2.4, 63.2 ± 2.5, and 72.6 ± 3.2 vs 63.6 ± 2.1, 65.4 ± 2.2, and 74.6 ± 2.4 bpm, p=0.86). CONCLUSIONS: Acute BRS lowers diastolic BP, but does not improve exercise efficiency in this group of trained, normotensive female masters swimmers. More research is needed in other female masters athlete groups such as runners and cyclists, and in female athletes with hypertension.

The Effects Of Beetroot And Tart Cherry Supplementation On Repeated Sprint Performance

PURPOSE: In recent years, sports supplements have been of interest to athletes as a possible way to increase performance. Two supplements of high interest are beetroot (BR) and tart cherry (TC) juice. BR is known to have an ergogenic effect due to its high nitrate contents, helping to vasodilate blood vessels in times of low oxygen availability. TC is known for its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, which is shown to benefit athletes as well. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether beetroot and tart cherry supplementation would improve repeated sprint performance in healthy individuals. METHODS: Using a randomized cross-over, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 12 healthy individuals ( 4 females and 8 males, 24.4 ± 2.7 years) were consumed BR, TC, and placebo capsules separately to determine the effects of these supplements on repeated sprint cycling performance. Participants completed a baseline sprint test, including a 5-minute warm-up, followed by six 10 second sprints (6x10) interspersed by a minute passive recovery. Participants received capsule contained 500mg of powder. In total, 2000mg of BR, TC, and placebo were separately consumed for four days prior to testing day. Peak power (W) and average power (W) were measured using Monark bike instrument data. Blood pressure was taken before and following the test. Lactate testing was done prior to the test, immediately after, as well as 10 minutes following the cycling sprint protocol. RESULTS: Results showed that the average power was significantly higher in BR (491.5±78 W) and TC (497±82 W) against PL (477±90 W), while no difference was found between BR and TC conditions. Furthermore, the lactate level at 10 minutes following the test was significantly lower in BR (10.3±0.67 mmol/l) versus TC (11.08±1.23 mmol/l) and PL (11.6±1.12 mmol/l) conditions. There was no significant difference among TC, BR, and PL on peak power. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that while BR and TC supplementation both improved performance at the 10-s repeated cycling sprint, this improvement was only accompanied by differences in lactate levels after the protocol in response to BR supplementation.

Feasibility and acceptability of a nutritional intervention testing the effects of nitrate-rich beetroot juice and folic acid on blood pressure in Tanzanian adults with elevated blood pressure

Sub-Saharan African countries are experiencing an alarming increase in hypertension prevalence. This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of nitrate-rich beetroot and folate supplementation, alone or combined, for the reduction of blood pressure (BP) in Tanzanian adults with elevated BP. This was a three-arm double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel randomised clinical trial. Forty-eight participants were randomised to one of three groups to follow a specific 60-day intervention which included a: (1) combined intervention (beetroot juice + folate), (2) single intervention (beetroot juice + placebo), and (3) control group (nitrate-depleted beetroot juice + placebo). Forty-seven participants (age: 50–70 years) completed the study. The acceptability of the interventions was high. Self-reported compliance to the interventions was more than 90% which was confirmed by the significant increase in nitrate and folate concentrations in plasma and saliva samples in the treatment arms. This study provides important information for the design of high-nitrate interventions to reduce BP in Sub-Saharan African countries.

Diagnostic accuracy of urinary indices to detect mild dehydration in young men following acute riboflavin, Vitamin C or beetroot supplementation

Individuals of all ages are encouraged to monitor their hydration status daily to prevent clinically severe fluid imbalances such as hyponatremia or dehydration. However, acute oral nutritional supplementation may alter urinary hydration assessments and potentially increase the likelihood of inappropriate clinical decisions or diagnosis. This investigation sought to examine the influence of three common over-the-counter nutritional supplements (beetroot, riboflavin, and Vitamin C) on urinary hydration assessments in physically active young men after a 2% exercise-induced dehydration. Eight males (Mean±SD; age: 22±3yr; body mass index: 27±5.0) consumed either a standard meal with supplementation (intervention) or a standard meal without supplementation (control). Participants performed a variety of aerobic or resistance exercises until reaching ≥2% body mass loss in a counter-balanced, double-blinded design. Following exercise participation, urine samples were collected for an 8h observational period during which food consumption was replicated. Urine samples were analyzed for urine color, specific gravity, volume, and osmolality. Maintenance of ~2% body mass loss (2.6±0.5%; range: 1.7-4.0%) was confirmed following the 8h observational period. Statistically significant (p<0.05) changes were noted in urine color following Vitamin C supplementation compared to control; however, the difference was not clinically meaningful. These findings indicate that urine color, specific gravity, and osmolality maintain clinical utility to detect moderate levels of dehydration in physically active men consuming commercially available doses of beetroot, riboflavin, or Vitamin C.

Dietary nitrate supplementation effect on dynamic cerebral autoregulation in normoxia and acute hypoxia

We tested the hypothesis that increasing the nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability by dietary nitrate would recover the hypoxia-induced reduction in dynamic cerebral autoregulation (CA). Twelve healthy males (age 21 ± 2 years) completed four days of dietary supplementation with a placebo or inorganic nitrate drink (140-ml beetroot juice per day) followed by 60-min of normoxia or hypoxia (fraction of inspired oxygen [FiO2] = 13%). Duplex ultrasonography was used to perform volumetric change-based assessment of dynamic CA in the internal carotid artery (ICA). Dynamic CA was assessed by rate of regulation (RoR) of vascular conductance using the thigh-cuff method. Four days of beetroot supplementation increased circulating nitrate by 208 [171,245] μM (mean difference [95% confidence interval]) compared with placebo. Dynamic CA was lower in hypoxia than normoxia (RoR Δ−0.085 [−0.116, −0.054]). Compared with placebo, nitrate did not alter dynamic CA in normoxia (RoR Δ−0.022 [−0.060, 0.016]) or hypoxia (RoR Δ0.017 [−0.019, 0.053]). Further, nitrate did not affect ICA vessel diameter, blood velocity or flow in either normoxia or hypoxia. Increased bioavailability of NO through dietary nitrate supplementation did not recover the hypoxia-induced reduction in dynamic CA. This suggests the mechanism of hypoxia-induced reduction in dynamic CA does not relate to the availability of NO.

A single oral dose of beetroot-based gel does not improve muscle oxygenation parameters, but speeds up handgrip isometric strength recovery in recreational combat sports athletes.

Although the effect of beetroot supplementation on exercise performance has been widely demonstrated to improve the performance of cyclists, runners, and swimmers, its effect on combat sports remains inconclusive. The present study assessed the effect of beetroot-based gel (BG) supplementation on maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), exercise time until fatigue (ETF), muscle O2 saturation (SmO2), and blood volume (tHb) in response to handgrip isotonic exercise (HIE) in recreational combat sport athletes. In a randomized, crossover, double-blind study, 14 combat sports athletes performed three sets of HIE (at 40% MVC) until fatigue after BG or nitrate-depleted gel (PLA) supplementation, in which forearm SmO2 and tHb were continuously monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy. MVC was evaluated at baseline and 20 min after HIE. MVC values were analysed as the change from baseline values (ΔMVC). There was a significant increase accompanied by a large effect size in ΔMVC (p = 0.036, d = 0.94) after HIE in the BG condition compared to PLA. However, there were no changes in SmO2 parameters (p> 0.05), tHb (p> 0.05) or ETF (p = 0.161) throughout the three sets of HIE. Additionally, a trivial to small effect size was observed in near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) parameters and ETF (d = ≤ 0.2 to 0.5). Therefore, a single dose of beetroot gel supplementation may be considered as a good nutritional strategy to improve strength recovery in combat sports athletes.

The Effect of Beetroot Supplementation on High-Intensity Functional Training Performance

The Effect of Beetroot Supplementation on High-Intensity Functional Training Performance

"Beet" the cold: beetroot juice supplementation improves peripheral blood flow, endothelial function, and anti-inflammatory status in individuals with Raynaud's phenomenon.

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is characterized by recurrent transient peripheral vasospasm and lower nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability in the cold. We investigated the effect of nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BJ) supplementation on 1) NO-mediated vasodilation, 2) cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) and skin temperature (Tsk) following local cooling, and 3) systemic anti-inflammatory status. Following baseline testing, 23 individuals with RP attended four times, in a double-blind, randomized crossover design, following acute and chronic (14 days) BJ and nitrate-depleted beetroot juice (NDBJ) supplementation. Peripheral Tsk and CVC were measured during and after mild hand and foot cooling, and during transdermal delivery of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. Markers of anti-inflammatory status were also measured. Plasma nitrite concentration ([nitrite]) was increased in the BJ conditions (P < 0.001). Compared with the baseline visit, thumb CVC was greater following chronic-BJ (Δ2.0 flux/mmHg, P = 0.02) and chronic-NDBJ (Δ1.45 flux/mmHg, P = 0.01) supplementation; however, no changes in Tsk were observed (P > 0.05). Plasma [interleukin-10] was greater, pan endothelin and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were reduced, and forearm endothelial function was improved, by both BJ and NDBJ supplementation (P < 0.05). Acute and chronic BJ and NDBJ supplementation improved anti-inflammatory status, endothelial function and blood pressure (BP). CVC following cooling increased post chronic-BJ and chronic-NDBJ supplementation, but no effect on Tsk was observed. The key findings are that beetroot supplementation improves thumb blood flow, improves endothelial function and anti-inflammatory status, and reduces BP in people with Raynaud's.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to examine the effect of dietary nitrate supplementation in individuals with Raynaud's phenomenon. The principal novel findings from this study were that both beetroot juice and nitrate-depleted beetroot juice 1) increased blood flow in the thumb following a cold challenge; 2) enhanced endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation in the forearm; 3) reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and pan-endothelin concentration; and 4) improved inflammatory status in comparison to baseline.