A glass of beetroot juice a day beats the exercise blues?

INTERVENTION:

Dietary nitrate supplementation in the form of beetroot juice, equivalent to 15mmol/L nitrate daily for 8 weeks. Overall intake will be approx. 250ml daily. Juice composition will be 72% beetroot and 28% apple juice. Subjects otherwise will maintain their normal diet and exercise regimens. The trial will be conducted at the John Hunter Hospital, NSW, Australia by the principal investigators: 1. A/Prof Aaron Sverdlov ‐ Senior Consultant Cardiologist, Director of Heart Failure 2. A/Prof Doan Ngo ‐ Senior Research Fellow, Associate Professor, University of Newcastle; Pharmacist Obese individuals (BMI greater or equal to 30kg/m2), aged ranging 20‐60 years with no history of heart disease, or diabetes who are not on a regular exercise regime will be randomized into 2 groups: beetroot juice supplementation (Group A, 25 participants) vs. identical nitrate‐depleted placebo (Group B, 25 participants) daily for 8 weeks. Subjects in both groups will be matched for age, gender and BMI. The active juice and the placebo will be provided by the investigators. Adherence will be monitored using food diary, provided to the participants.

CONDITION:

Heart Disease Obesity

PRIMARY OUTCOME:

The primary end‐point will be the impact of beetroot juice on exercise capacity, assessed by Maximal‐Effort Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test and a Constant‐Intensity Protocol Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test

SECONDARY OUTCOME:

Secondary outcomes will assess impact of beetroot juice supplementation on markers of endothelial function assessed by applanation tonometry Secondary outcomes will assess impact of beetroot juice supplementation on markers of inflammation assessed on blood tests ; Secondary outcomes will assess impact of beetroot juice supplementation on markers of insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis (composite) assessed on blood tests ; Secondary outcomes will assess impact of beetroot juice supplementation on skeletal muscle mitochondrial function. Small sample of skeletal muscle will be obtained by fine needle biopsy, mitochondria will be isolated and function measured as described by Sverdlov et al, J Am Heart Assoc 2016; 5(1). pii: e002555

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Males and females BMI greater or equal to 30kg/m2 20 to 60 years of age