Effect of Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Aerobic Capacity in Female Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Study

Jekaterina Neteca (Corresponding Author), Una Veseta (Corresponding Author), Inga Liepiņa, Katrīna Volgemute, Maija Dzintare, Dmitry Babarykin

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study addresses the growing interest in nutritional supplements that improve athletic performance in endurance sports. Previous research suggests that nitrates in beetroot juice enhance blood vessel dilation and oxygen delivery to muscles. However, the effects of these nitrates on cardiopulmonary performance in female athletes remain underexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of beetroot juice supplementation on aerobic work capacity in female endurance athletes. Methods: A cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) was conducted to assess aerobic work capacity. Eighteen healthy female endurance athletes (22.9 ± 5.6 years) participated in the study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: the control group (placebo group n = 9), which received a nitrate-free placebo beverage, and the experimental group (beetroot juice group n = 9), which consumed 50 mL of beetroot juice concentrate (~6.2 mmol nitrate) two and a half hours before the second test. Results: The results showed that the beetroot juice group demonstrated significant improvements in minute ventilation (VE), respiratory equivalents (VE/VO 2 and VE/VCO 2), and heart rate (HR) (p < 0.05). Maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2 max) increased by 4.82% in the beetroot juice group (from 35.24 ± 5.07 to 36.94 ± 4.91 mL·min −1·kg −1), whereas a small decrease was observed in the placebo group. Conclusions: These findings indicate that beetroot juice may be an effective ergogenic aid, enhancing oxygen utilization and energy production during exercise in female athletes. In terms of practical applications, beetroot juice could contribute to improved athletic performance and serve as a valuable addition to athletes’ nutritional plans. Future studies should explore the long-term effects, optimal dosages, and duration of supplementation in larger and more diverse populations.

Original languageEnglish
Article number63
Number of pages15
JournalNutrients
Volume17
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2025

Keywords*

  • Humans
  • Female
  • Fruit and Vegetable Juices
  • Beta vulgaris/chemistry
  • Young Adult
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Oxygen Consumption/drug effects
  • Adult
  • Athletes
  • Nitrates/administration & dosage
  • Exercise Test
  • Athletic Performance/physiology
  • Heart Rate/drug effects
  • Adolescent

Field of Science*

  • 3.3 Health sciences

Publication Type*

  • 1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database

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