Caloric restriction (CR) and dietary nitrate supplementation are nutritional interventions with pleiotropic physiological functions. This pilot study investigates the combined effects of CR and nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BRJ) on metabolic, vascular, and cognitive functions in overweight and obese middle-aged and older adults. This was a two-arm, parallel randomized clinical trial including 29 participants allocated to CR + BRJ (n = 15) or CR alone (n = 14) for 14 days. Body composition, resting energy expenditure (REE), and hand-grip strength were measured. Resting blood pressure (BP) and microvascular endothelial function were measured, and Trail-Making Test A and B were used to assess cognitive function. Salivary nitrate and nitrite, and urinary nitrate and 8-isoprostane concentrations were measured. Changes in body composition, REE, and systolic and diastolic BP were similar between the two interventions (p > 0.05). The CR + BRJ intervention produced greater changes in average microvascular flux (p = 0.03), NO-dependent endothelial activity (p = 0.02), and TMT-B cognitive scores (p = 0.012) compared to CR alone. Changes in urinary 8-isoprostane were greater in the CR + BRJ group (p = 0.02), and they were inversely associated with changes in average microvascular flux (r = −0.53, p = 0.003). These preliminary findings suggest that greater effects on vascular and cognitive functions could be achieved by combining CR with dietary nitrate supplementation.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of beetroot extract and resveratrol supplementation (isolated and combined) on cardiac autonomic modulation and cardiovascular parameters recovery after exercise in individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: 14 males with CAD were submitted to 4 protocols consisting of 30 min (min) of rest, 30 min of aerobic exercise on a treadmill (60% of the heart rate reserve HRR), followed by 30 min of recovery. Before each protocol, the subjects consumed 500 mg of starch (placebo protocol), 500 mg of beetroot (beetroot protocol), or 500 mg of resveratrol (resveratrol protocol), or 500 mg of beetroot and 500 mg of resveratrol (combined protocol). Heart rate variability (HRV) indices and cardiorespiratory parameters were determined at different times during the protocols. Results: Regarding HR, significantly higher values about rest in the placebo protocol at all recovery moments (1st to 30th min) were observed. Significant differences were observed in the other protocols (beetroot, resveratrol and combined) from the first to the 20th min recovery. For SBP, significantly higher values concerning rest were observed at the first minute of recovery for all protocols. No differences were found for the HRV index between time and protocols. Conclusions: The single supplementation of beetroot and resveratrol (isolated and combined) did not alter HRV and cardiovascular parameter responses between protocols. The consumption of beetroot extract and resveratrol enhanced vagal modulation and heart rate recovery compared to rest. © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025.

Raynaud's phenomenon is characterised by recurrent transient vasospasm of the digits and lower nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability in response to cold stimuli. We investigated whether nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BJ) supplementation would (i) promote NO-mediated vasodilation, (ii) increase cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) and skin temperature (Tsk) following cold challenge and (iii) reduce inflammation in individuals with Raynaud's phenomenon. Twenty-three individuals with Raynaud's phenomenon attended 4 laboratory testing sessions, in a crossover design, following acute (acute-BJ) and chronic (chronic-BJ; 14 days) BJ and nitrate-depleted BJ (acute-PL and chronic-PL) supplementation. At each visit, peripheral Tsk and CVC were measured during hand and foot cold sensitivity testing. This involved 2 minutes cooling in 15°C water, followed by 10 minutes rewarming in 30°C air and during transdermal delivery of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside on the forearm, finger and foot. Markers of inflammation were also measured. Plasma [nitrite] increased in the BJ conditions (P < 0.01). Plasma [interleukin-10] was greater, forearm endothelial function was improved. Following chronic-BJ and chronic-PL supplementation, thumb CVC was increased (P < 0.05) during and after a cold sensitivity testing, with no changes in Tsk between conditions (P > 0.05). Both acute-BJ and chronic-BJ supplementation can improve anti-inflammatory status, and endothelial function in individuals with Raynaud's phenomenon. CVC following a cold stimulus increased following chronic-BJ and chronic-PL supplementation, with no effect on Tsk.

This article has no abstract

INTERVENTION:

consuming 2 bottles (100 cc. per bottle) daily (one after breakfast and another after dinner) for 12 weeks,consuming 2 bottles (100 cc. per bottle) daily (one after breakfast and another after dinner) for 12 weeks Experimental Dietary Supplement,Placebo Comparator Dietary Supplement Fruit and Vegetable Juice (red grape, mulberry, beetroot) Mixed with Herbs (turmeric, amla fruit, and artichoke leaf),placebo drink

CONDITION:

curcuminoids; ascorbic acid; turmeric; amla; artichoke; HDL; ALT liver function dyslipidemia ; curcuminoids; ascorbic acid; turmeric; amla; artichoke; HDL;

ALT PRIMARY OUTCOME:

liver function markers at 0, 4, 8, 12 weeks after intervention Blood level of ALT, AST,fatigue at 0, 4, 8, 12 weeks after intervention Daily fatigue impact scale and the Rochester fatigue scale,adverse effects at 0, 4, 8, 12 weeks after intervention symptoms of adverse events, vital sign, routine blood chemistry

SECONDARY OUTCOME:

other liver function markers at 0, 4, 8, 12 weeks after intervention blood level of bilirubin, GGT, ALP,lipid profile at 0, 4, 8, 12 weeks after intervention Blood level of HDL. LDL, cholesterol, triglyceride,overall symptoms at 0, 4, 8, 12 weeks after intervention MSAS scale

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

1. healthy Thai people aged 20‐70 years, 2. elevated plasma ALT levels (30‐200 U/L), 3. no history of liver diseases or jaundice, 4. able to communicate and understand the Thai language, 5. able to consume the herbal blended product or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks, 6. able to decide and sign written informed consent by oneself. 7. (for the block with alcohol consumption habits) over the past 5 years consumed > 7 or 14 standard drinks/ week for females or males respectively, 8. (For the block without alcohol consumption habits) consumed alcohol < 20 g or 30 g for females or males respectively and having metabolic diseases, i.e., obesity, pre‐diabetes, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance

Background: Nitrate-rich food can increase NO production and may induce positive effects on brain function. This study examined the feasibility of a randomized clinical trial (RCT) testing the effects of prolonged consumption of incremental doses of dietary nitrate (NO3−) in overweight and obese older participants. Secondary aims tested dose-dependent changes in cognitive, vascular and pulmonary functions and cerebral blood flow (CBF). Methods: This was a single blind, four-arm parallel RCT conducted in 60 overweight and obese older participants. Eligible participants were randomized to:1) high NO3− (140 ml of beetroot juice (BJ) per day, ~800 mg of NO3−/day), 2) moderate NO3− (70 ml of BJ per day, ~400 mg of NO3−/day), 3) low NO3− (70 ml on alternate days, ~400 mg of NO3−) or 4) NO3− depleted (70 ml on alternate days, ~0.001 mg of NO3). Measurements of cognitive, vascular and pulmonary functions and CBF were conducted at baseline and 13-weeks NO3− intake was assessed by six 24-h recalls, and by measuring NO3− intake biomarkers. Feasibility was assessed by obtaining qualitative feedback and evaluating trial recruitment, retention, compliance with study visits and measurement protocols. Results: Participant recruitment started in July 2018 and ended in April 2019. Of all the recruitment strategies that were used, advertisement of the study via Facebook generated the highest response rate. Sixty-two participants consented and were enrolled. Overall, characteristics of included participants matched our recruitment criteria. Conclusion: The findings from this study provide evidence of the acceptability and feasibility of an intervention investigating the effects of incremental doses of high-nitrate BJ over a prolonged period. Trial registration: The intervention study was registered with clinical trial ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN14746723) on 27 December 2018.

Dietary nitrate (NO3(-)) supplementation via beetroot juice has been shown to increase the exercise capacity of younger and older adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acute NO3(-) ingestion on the submaximal constant work rate exercise capacity of COPD patients. Fifteen patients were assigned in a randomized, single-blind, crossover design to receive one of two treatments (beetroot juice then placebo or placebo then beetroot juice). Submaximal constant work rate exercise time at 75% of the patient's maximal work capacity was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included plasma NO3(-) and nitrite (NO2(-)) levels, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen consumption (VO2), dynamic hyperinflation, dyspnea and leg discomfort. Relative to placebo, beetroot ingestion increased plasma NO3(-) by 938% and NO2(-) by 379%. Median (+interquartile range) exercise time was significantly longer (p = 0.031) following the ingestion of beetroot versus placebo (375.0 + 257.0 vs. 346.2 + 148.0 s, respectively). Compared with placebo, beetroot ingestion significantly reduced iso-time (p = 0.001) and end exercise (p = 0.008) diastolic blood pressures by 6.4 and 5.6 mmHg, respectively. Resting systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced (p = 0.019) by 8.2 mmHg for the beetroot versus the placebo trial. No other variables were significantly different between the beetroot and placebo trials. These results indicate that acute dietary NO3(-) supplementation can elevate plasma NO3(-) and NO2(-) concentrations, improve exercise performance, and reduce blood pressure in COPD patients.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an inorganic radical produced by both the non-enzymatic nitrate (NO3-)-nitrite (NO2-)-NO pathway and enzymatic reactions catalyzed by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Also, as nitrate and nitrite from dietary and other endogenous sources can be reduced back to nitric oxide in vivo, the endogenous NO level can be increased through the consumption of nitrate-rich vegetables. Ingestion of dietary NO3- has beneficial effects which have been attributed to a subsequent increase in NO.: a signaling molecule that may regulate various systems, including the cardiovascular system. A diet rich in NO3- from green leafy and root vegetables has cardioprotective effects, with beetroot products being particularly good sources of NO3-. For example, various studies have demonstrated a significant increase in nitrite levels (regarded as markers of NO) in plasma after the intake of beetroot juice. The present review describes the current literature concerning the role of nitrate-rich vegetables (especially beetroot products) in the prophylaxis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This review is based on studies identified in electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Knowledge, Sci Finder, Web of Science, and SCOPUS.

Background/Objectives: The increasing popularity of acute supplementation among young athletes is concerning, given the limited scientific evidence to guide recommendations specific to this group. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the available scientific evidence on the acute effects of supplementation in young athletes to understand the impact on physical and cognitive performance. Methods: Following pre-registration on INPLASY (INPLASY202310017) and according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, systematic searches of three electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus) were conducted by independent researchers from inception until July 2024. Only original studies in English that examined the acute effects of supplementation on young athletes’ physical and/or cognitive performance, specifically when taken on the same day as exercise (before or during), were included. The risk of bias was individually assessed for each study using the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2.0). Results: A total of 16 studies were included in the review. A range of ages, participants, sports, and methodological approaches were involved in the studies included in the current review. The studies mainly used carbohydrates, beetroot juice, and sodium citrate, with carbohydrates being the most used acute supplementation. Carbohydrate supplementation enhanced endurance capacity and increased blood glucose, but mixed results were found for anaerobic performance. Mixed results were found for beetroot juice, with one study finding increases in power production. One study used sodium citrate supplementation, with improvements in technical performance observed. Conclusions: Since this review identified only three substances meeting our eligibility criteria, further research is needed to confirm the acute effects of supplements in young athletes and to better understand their benefits and limitations. Carbohydrate supplementation shows strong evidence for enhancing endurance performance, particularly during prolonged activities, while sodium citrate appears to support the preservation of skill performance. In contrast, the effects of beetroot juice are less consistent. Additional research is required to confirm the acute effects of supplements like beetroot juice in young athletes. © 2024 by the authors.

Although dietary nitrate (NO3 −) ingestion appears to enhance exercise capacity and performance in young individuals, inconclusive findings have been reported in older people. Therefore, we conducted a double-blind, crossover randomized clinical trial using beetroot juice in older healthy participants, who were classified as normal weight and overweight. We tested whether consumption of beetroot juice (a rich source of NO3 −) for 1 week would increase nitric oxide bioavailability via the nonenzymatic pathway and enhance (1) exercise capacity during an incremental exercise test, (2) physical capability, and (3) free-living physical activity. Twenty nonsmoking, healthy participants between 60 and 75 years of age and with a body mass index of 20.0 to 29.9 kg/m2 were included. Presupplementation and postsupplementation resting, submaximal, maximal, and recovery gas exchanges were measured. Physical capability was measured by hand-grip strength, time-up-and-go, repeated chair rising test, and 10-m walking speed. Free-living physical activity was assessed by triaxal accelerometry. Changes in urinary and plasma NO3 − concentrations were measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Nineteen participants (male-to-female ratio, 9:10) completed the study. Beetroot juice increased significantly both plasma and urinary NO3 − concentrations (P <. 001) when compared with placebo. Beetroot juice did not influence resting or submaximal and maximal oxygen consumption during the incremental exercise test. In addition, measures of physical capability and physical activity levels measured in free-living conditions were not modified by beetroot juice ingestion. The positive effects of beetroot juice ingestion on exercise performance seen in young individuals were not replicated in healthy, older adults. Whether aging represents a modifier of the effects of dietary NO3 − on muscular performance is not known, and mechanistic studies and larger trials are needed to test this hypothesis. © 2016 Elsevier Inc.