Nutritional Nitrates: The Beetroot Advantage for Blood Flow and Endurance
Dietary nitrate from beetroot is a natural and effective strategy to enhance nitric oxide
bioavailability and improve cardiovascular and metabolic health (Andrew M. Jones)
The components of vegetables that support human health make them essential components of a balanced diet. One of these, dietary nitrate (NO₃⁻) from specific plants, has been demonstrated to work as a physiological substrate for nitric oxide (NO), which promotes cardiovascular health by regulating blood pressure and vasodilation.¹ ²
Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.): A Functional Superfood
Beetroot is a great source of important vitamins and minerals like potassium, iron, magnesium, folate, and vitamin C. It also contains bioactive substances such as dietary nitrate (NO₃⁻), betalains, polyphenols, and fiber.³
Owing to these qualities, beetroot is a good option for natural cognitive and cardiovascular support. However, to turn raw beetroot into effective nutritional supplements, a clever formulation is needed to ensure convenient and reliable consumption of nitrates and other beneficial compounds.⁴
How Nitrates Work in the Body
Once consumed, approximately 25% of dietary nitrates are recirculated through the saliva, where oral bacteria convert them into nitrite (NO₂⁻). After being swallowed, this nitrite is then transformed into nitric oxide (NO) in the acidic environment of the stomach, with the help of vitamin C and polyphenols.⁵ ⁶ Nitric oxide acts as a secondary messenger in the body, enhancing skeletal muscle activity, oxygen transport, vascular tone, and immune responses.
Performance and Endurance Benefits
Supplementation with nitrate-rich beets has shown benefits in both elderly and athletic populations. Studies have reported increased physical performance, decreased inflammatory markers, and improved blood flow.
MyCern Beetroot: Daily Wellness Boost
MyCern Beet Capsules deliver all the essential advantages of beets in a handy, concentrated form, helping to naturally promote healthy circulation, heart health, and stamina—all without the use of stimulants or caffeine.
References
1 dos Santos Baião, D. et al. A new functional beetroot formulation enhances adherence to nitrate supplementation and health outcomes in clinical practice.
2 dos S. Baião, D., da Silva, D. V. & Paschoalin, V. M. Beetroot, a remarkable vegetable: Its nitrate and phytochemical contents can be adjusted in novel formulations to benefit health and support cardiovascular disease therapies. Antioxidants 9, 960 (2020).
3 Chen, L., Zhu, Y., Hu, Z., Wu, S. & Jin, C. Beetroot as a functional food with huge health benefits: Antioxidant, antitumor, physical function, and chronic metabolomics activity. Food science nutrition 9, 6406-6420 (2021).
4 Nowacka, M. et al. The impact of pulsed electric field on the extraction of bioactive compounds from beetroot. Foods 8, 244 (2019).
5 Vong, L. B. & Nagasaki, Y. Nitric oxide nano-delivery systems for cancer therapeutics: Advances and challenges. Antioxidants 9, 791 (2020).
6 Wiczkowski, W., Romaszko, E., Szawara-Nowak, D. & Piskula, M. K. The impact of the matrix of red beet products and interindividual variability on betacyanins bioavailability in humans. Food Research International 108, 530-538 (2018).
7 Thiruvengadam, M. et al. A comprehensive review of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) bioactive components in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Critical Reviews in Food Science Nutrition 64, 708-739 (2024).
8 Raubenheimer, K. et al. Acute effects of nitrate-rich beetroot juice on blood pressure, hemostasis and vascular inflammation markers in healthy older adults: a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study. Nutrients 9, 1270 (2017).
9 Theba, T., Nayi, P. & Ravani, A. Beetroot-based blended juice: Process development, physico-chemical analysis and optimization of novel health drink. Food Chemistry Advances 4, 100607 (2024).
10 Wightman, E. L. et al. Dietary nitrate modulates cerebral blood flow parameters and cognitive performance in humans: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover investigation. Physiology behavior 149, 149-158 (2015).
About the Author
This blog is written by Dr. Hina Manzoor, Ph.D. in Biochemistry, a specialist in nutraceuticals with over four years of experience as a Quality Control Manager in the supplement industry. Dr. Manzoor is passionate about bridging science and wellness, offering evidence-based insights to help readers make informed choices about their health.