Effects of Nitrate- and Betalain-Rich Beetroot Juice Ingestion on Vascular Function and Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors in Healthy Adults: A Pilot Study

Background/Objectives: Health challenges associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) have stimulated investigations into the effectiveness of nutraceutical interventions, including beetroot juice (BRJ), in mitigating MetS risk factors.

Methods

This repeated-measures crossover trial (n = 16 healthy participants) investigates the effects of daily ingestion of two different BRJs [United Kingdom beetroot juice (UKBR), 1280 mg nitrate, 147 mg betalains; New Zealand beetroot juice (NZBR), 1120 mg nitrate, 506 mg betalains] and placebo (PL) on plasma nitrate and nitrite levels, MetS biomarkers and systemic vascular resistance (SVR). Participants consumed the juices for 6 days, with measures taken on day 7 fasted (pre-dose) and 2 h and 5 h post ingestion (acute).