scholarly journals The Effects of Dietary Nitrate (Beetroot Juice) Supplementation on Exercise Performance: A Review

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Zafeiridis
2017 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 642-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Thompson ◽  
Lee J. Wylie ◽  
Jamie R. Blackwell ◽  
Jonathan Fulford ◽  
Matthew I. Black ◽  
...  

We hypothesized that 4 wk of dietary nitrate supplementation would enhance exercise performance and muscle metabolic adaptations to sprint interval training (SIT). Thirty-six recreationally active subjects, matched on key variables at baseline, completed a series of exercise tests before and following a 4-wk period in which they were allocated to one of the following groups: 1) SIT and [Formula: see text]-depleted beetroot juice as a placebo (SIT+PL); 2) SIT and [Formula: see text]-rich beetroot juice (~13 mmol [Formula: see text]/day; SIT+BR); or 3) no training and [Formula: see text]-rich beetroot juice (NT+BR). During moderate-intensity exercise, pulmonary oxygen uptake was reduced by 4% following 4 wk of SIT+BR and NT+BR ( P < 0.05) but not SIT+PL. The peak work rate attained during incremental exercise increased more in SIT+BR than in SIT+PL ( P < 0.05) or NT+BR ( P < 0.001). The reduction in muscle and blood [lactate] and the increase in muscle pH from preintervention to postintervention were greater at 3 min of severe-intensity exercise in SIT+BR compared with SIT+PL and NT+BR ( P < 0.05). However, the change in severe-intensity exercise performance was not different between SIT+BR and SIT+PL ( P > 0.05). The relative proportion of type IIx muscle fibers in the vastus lateralis muscle was reduced in SIT+BR only ( P < 0.05). These findings suggest that BR supplementation may enhance some aspects of the physiological adaptations to SIT. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We investigated the influence of nitrate-rich and nitrate-depleted beetroot juice on the muscle metabolic and physiological adaptations to 4 wk of sprint interval training. Compared with placebo, dietary nitrate supplementation reduced the O2 cost of submaximal exercise, resulted in greater improvement in incremental (but not severe-intensity) exercise performance, and augmented some muscle metabolic adaptations to training. Nitrate supplementation may facilitate some of the physiological responses to sprint interval training.


2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 1019-1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew M. Jones

Dietary nitrate supplementation, usually in the form of beetroot juice, has been heralded as a possible new ergogenic aid for sport and exercise performance. Early studies in recreationally active participants indicated that nitrate ingestion significantly reduces the O2 cost of submaximal exercise and improves performance during high-intensity endurance exercise. Subsequent studies have begun to address the physiological mechanisms underpinning these observations and to investigate the human populations in whom, and the exercise conditions (high- vs. low-intensity, long- vs. short-duration, continuous vs. intermittent, normoxic vs. hypoxic) under which, nitrate supplementation may be beneficial. Moreover, the optimal nitrate loading regimen in terms of nitrate dose and duration of supplementation has been explored. Depending on these factors, nitrate supplementation has been shown to exert physiological effects that could be conducive to exercise performance enhancement, at least in recreationally active or sub-élite athletes. This article provides a “state-of-the-art” review of the literature pertinent to the evaluation of the efficacy of nitrate supplementation in altering the physiological determinants of sport and exercise performance.


2016 ◽  
Vol 311 (6) ◽  
pp. H1520-H1529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinead T. J. McDonagh ◽  
Anni Vanhatalo ◽  
Jonathan Fulford ◽  
Lee J. Wylie ◽  
Stephen J. Bailey ◽  
...  

We tested the hypothesis that dietary nitrate (NO3−)-rich beetroot juice (BR) supplementation could partially offset deteriorations in O2transport and utilization and exercise tolerance after blood donation. Twenty-two healthy volunteers performed moderate-intensity and ramp incremental cycle exercise tests prior to and following withdrawal of ∼450 ml of whole blood. Before donation, all subjects consumed seven 70-ml shots of NO3−-depleted BR [placebo (PL)] in the 48 h preceding the exercise tests. During the 48 h after blood donation, subjects consumed seven shots of BR (each containing 6.2 mmol of NO3−, n = 11) or PL ( n = 11) before repeating the exercise tests. Hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit were reduced by ∼8–9% following blood donation ( P < 0.05), with no difference between the BR and PL groups. Steady-state O2uptake during moderate-intensity exercise was ∼4% lower after than before donation in the BR group ( P < 0.05) but was unchanged in the PL group. The ramp test peak power decreased from predonation (341 ± 70 and 331 ± 68 W in PL and BR, respectively) to postdonation (324 ± 69 and 322 ± 66 W in PL and BR, respectively) in both groups ( P < 0.05). However, the decrement in performance was significantly less in the BR than PL group (2.7% vs. 5.0%, P < 0.05). NO3−supplementation reduced the O2cost of moderate-intensity exercise and attenuated the decline in ramp incremental exercise performance following blood donation. These results have implications for improving functional capacity following blood loss.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1094
Author(s):  
Noemí Serra-Payá ◽  
Manuel Vicente Garnacho-Castaño ◽  
Sergio Sánchez-Nuño ◽  
Lluís Albesa-Albiol ◽  
Montserrat Girabent-Farrés ◽  
...  

The assessment of ventilatory efficiency is critical to understanding the matching of ventilation (VE) and perfusion in the lungs during exercise. This study aimed to establish a causal physiological relationship between ventilatory efficiency and resistance exercise performance after beetroot juice (BJ) intake. Eleven well-trained males performed a resistance exercise test after drinking 140 mL of BJ (~12.8 mmol NO3−) or a placebo (PL). Ventilatory efficiency was assessed by the VE•VCO2−1 slope, the oxygen uptake efficiency slope and the partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO2). The two experimental conditions were controlled using a randomized, double-blind crossover design. The resistance exercise test involved repeating the same routine twice, which consisted of wall ball shots plus a full squat (FS) with a 3 min rest or without a rest between the two exercises. A higher weight lifted was detected in the FS exercise after BJ intake compared with the PL during the first routine (p = 0.004). BJ improved the VE•VCO2−1 slope and the PetCO2 during the FS exercise in the first routine and at rest (p < 0.05). BJ intake improved the VE•VCO2−1 slope and the PetCO2 coinciding with the resistance exercise performance. The ergogenic effect of BJ could be induced under aerobic conditions at rest.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 684-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph A. McQuillan ◽  
Deborah K. Dulson ◽  
Paul B. Laursen ◽  
Andrew E. Kilding

Purpose:To determine the effect of dietary nitrate (NO3 –) supplementation on physiology and performance in well-trained cyclists after 6–8 d of NO3 – supplementation.Methods:Eight competitive male cyclists (mean ± SD age 26 ± 8 y, body mass 76.7 ± 6.9 kg, VO2peak 63 ± 4 mL · kg–1 · min–1) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover-design study in which participants ingested 70 mL of beetroot juice containing ~4 mmol NO3 – (NIT) or a NO3 –-depleted placebo (PLA), each for 8 d. Replicating pretreatment measures, participants undertook an incremental ramp assessment to determine VO2peak and first (VT1) and second (VT2) ventilatory thresholds on d 6 (NIT6 and PLA6), moderate-intensity cycling economy on d 7 (NIT7 and PLA7), and a 4-km time trial (TT) on d 8 (NIT8 and PLA8).Results:Relative to PLA, 6 d of NIT supplementation produced unclear effects for VO2peak (mean ± 95% confidence limit: 1.8% ± 5.5%) and VT1 (3.7% ± 12.3%) and trivial effects for both VT2 (–1.0% ± 3.0%) and exercise economy on d 7 (–1.0% ± 1.6%). However, effects for TT performance time (–0.7% ± 0.9%) and power (2.4% ± 2.5%) on d 8 were likely beneficial.Conclusions:Despite mostly unclear outcomes for standard physiological determinants of performance, 8 d of NO3 – supplementation resulted in likely beneficial improvements to 4-km TT performance in well-trained male endurance cyclists.


2017 ◽  
Vol 313 (1) ◽  
pp. H59-H65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karambir Notay ◽  
Anthony V. Incognito ◽  
Philip J. Millar

Acute dietary nitrate ([Formula: see text]) supplementation reduces resting blood pressure in healthy normotensives. This response has been attributed to increased nitric oxide bioavailability and peripheral vasodilation, although nitric oxide also tonically inhibits central sympathetic outflow. We hypothesized that acute dietary [Formula: see text] supplementation using beetroot (BR) juice would reduce blood pressure and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) at rest and during exercise. Fourteen participants (7 men and 7 women, age: 25 ± 10 yr) underwent blood pressure and MSNA measurements before and after (165–180 min) ingestion of 70ml high-[Formula: see text] (~6.4 mmol [Formula: see text]) BR or [Formula: see text]-depleted BR placebo (PL; ~0.0055 mmol [Formula: see text]) in a double-blind, randomized, crossover design. Blood pressure and MSNA were also collected during 2 min of static handgrip (30% maximal voluntary contraction). The changes in resting MSNA burst frequency (−3 ± 5 vs. 3 ± 4 bursts/min, P = 0.001) and burst incidence (−4 ± 7 vs. 4 ± 5 bursts/100 heart beats, P = 0.002) were lower after BR versus PL, whereas systolic blood pressure (−1 ± 5 vs. 2 ± 5 mmHg, P = 0.30) and diastolic blood pressure (4 ± 5 vs. 5 ± 7 mmHg, P = 0.68) as well as spontaneous arterial sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity ( P = 0.95) were not different. During static handgrip, the change in MSNA burst incidence (1 ± 8 vs. 8 ± 9 bursts/100 heart beats, P = 0.04) was lower after BR versus PL, whereas MSNA burst frequency (6 ± 6 vs. 11 ± 10 bursts/min, P = 0.11) as well as systolic blood pressure (11 ± 7 vs. 12 ± 8 mmHg, P = 0.94) and diastolic blood pressure (11 ± 4 vs. 11 ± 4 mmHg, P = 0.60) were not different. Collectively, these data provide proof of principle that acute BR supplementation can decrease central sympathetic outflow at rest and during exercise. Dietary [Formula: see text] supplementation may represent a novel intervention to target exaggerated sympathetic outflow in clinical populations. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The hemodynamic benefits of dietary nitrate supplementation have been attributed to nitric oxide-mediated peripheral vasodilation. Here, we provide proof of concept that acute dietary nitrate supplementation using beetroot juice can decrease muscle sympathetic outflow at rest and during exercise in a normotensive population. These results have applications for targeting central sympathetic overactivation in disease.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl Bushnell ◽  
Daniel Beavers ◽  
Gary Miller ◽  
Susan Reeves ◽  
Pamela Duncan ◽  
...  

Introduction: Dietary nitrate improves cerebral blood flow and enhances physical performance by improving exercise capacity. We designed a proof-of-concept study to show increases in plasma nitrate and nitrite levels in ischemic stroke patients treated with beetroot juice shots vs placebo juice (nitrate removed). We assessed gait speed after 30 days and safety/adverse events with both groups. Methods: In a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind design, patients with NIHSS of ≥ 2 but < 20, with fair or good sitting balance and score >0 on hip flexion on the short Fugl-Meyer, within 5 days of stroke onset were enrolled. Those treated with IV alteplase or endovascular therapy, gait speed > 0.8 cm/sec, or taking nitrate-containing medications were excluded. After consent, patients were randomized to beetroot vs placebo juice. On days 1 and 30, blood was drawn for nitrate and nitrite levels before and one hour after drinking 70 cc (3.8 mM nitrate) beetroot juice (James White Fruit Juices) or an identically-appearing placebo juice, plus vitamin C 500 mg daily for 30 days in each group. On day 30, gait speed (using the 4 m walk) was assessed. Results: Eighteen participants (6 women, 12 men, 12 white, 4 African American and 2 other race-ethnicities, median age 64.6 IQR (58.7, 70.0)) were consented, 17 completed treatment (1 terminated treatment because of nausea), 16 followed for 30 days and 13 for 90 days. Baseline characteristics were balanced with regard to admission NIHSS (median 5.0 in each group), age, sex, race, risk factors, baseline gait speed (median 0.17 m/sec in active and 0.13 m/sec in placebo), and baseline nitrate/nitrite levels. There was no difference in adverse events in the two groups. The mean treatment-specific changes in nitrate were 236 micromoles/L (95% CI 170, 302) in the active and 0 (95% CI -64, 64) in the placebo group (p<0.0001). For nitrite, active group increased by 313 nanomoles/L (37, 588) and 20 nanomoles for placebo (-211, 252); p=0.045. Gait speed increased by 0.26m/sec in the active and 0.30m/sec in placebo group. Conclusions: Beetroot juice was associated with an increase in nitrate and nitrite levels, but was not associated with a change in gait speed after 30 days. Further studies with a larger population of stroke patients may be warranted.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1746-1746
Author(s):  
Paul Tsai ◽  
Yun Chieh Huang ◽  
Aurora Sanchez ◽  
JeJe Noval ◽  
Gurinder Bains ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dietary nitrate and anthocyanins on exercise performance in healthy untrained individuals. Methods In a randomized double-blind crossover study, six men (mean age 24.3 y) and 23 women (mean age 24.1 y) were randomly assigned to Treatment A (5.05 g beetroot powder + placebo/d) or Treatment B (5.05 g beetroot powder + 480 mg tart cherry/d) for seven days. Each treatment was followed by a seven-day washout after which subjects switched treatments. At the end of each treatment period, subjects performed a modified Wingate Anaerobic Test on a Monark 928E bike. Data on speed (RPM), power (watts), and heart rate were collected and analyzed using linear mixed models adjusted for baseline subject characteristics, treatment sequence (A-B, B-A), energy (kcal), and sleep (hours). Results Average heart rate during the first five seconds of the cycling sprint was significantly lower after treatment A than after treatment B (−1.6 to 2.7 BPM, P &lt; 0.05). Participants pedaled five meters further after treatment B compared to treatment A (P = 0.25). No significant differences were observed between treatments on RPM and blood pressure. Conclusions Supplementation with beetroot and tart cherry powder for seven days may improve anaerobic exercise performance by maximizing potential heart rate and energy output in untrained individuals. Funding Sources The study was sponsored by the School of Allied Health Professions, Loma Linda University.


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