Data from a pilot study published in Nutrients indicated that seven days of supplementation with the beetroot-based nitrate product Nobeet by Pisa-based Gensan led to a 155% increase in nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) in both plasma and urine.
Concurrent increases were also recorded for oxidative and inflammatory markers, but no evidence of oxidative damage was recorded, reported researchers from the National Research Council – Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC-CNR) in Pisa and Abiogen Pharma.
Indeed, these changes are consistent with a physiological activation of signaling pathways rather than a harmful oxidative response, said the researchers.
“These findings suggest that nitrate supplementation may enhance nitric oxide bioavailability while maintaining oxidative balance,” said Dr. Simona Mrakic-Sposta, joint first and corresponding author of the study. “Although increases in reactive oxygen species and inflammatory markers are often interpreted as negative, in this context they appear to reflect a controlled physiological response. The absence of increased lipid peroxidation supports the interpretation that this activation does not translate into oxidative damage.”
No beating the beet
Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) is a recognized ergogenic aid with a global market estimated at US$14.66 billion in 2023 and projected to reach US$22.68 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2024 to 2030.
The nitrates in beetroot juice help relax blood vessels, offering benefits such as improved cardiovascular health, better blood pressure regulation and enhanced athletic performance.
The new study from Italy extends our knowledge and understanding of the potential benefits of beetroot-based nitrate supplementation for endurance athletes.
Study details
Dr. Mrakic-Sposta and her co-workers recruited 10 male triathletes with an average age of 48 to participate in their randomized 2 × 2 cross-over pilot study. The men were randomly assigned to receive either Nobeet or no treatment for seven days before crossing over to the other group after a 15 day break (washout).
Nobeet is described as a nitric oxide-enhancing supplement that supports both the nitrate-nitrite-NO and L-arginine-NOS-NO pathways. Each 30-gram serving provides 0.77 g nitrates from Truebeet from India-based Bio-gen Extracts, 9.9 grams of L-citrulline, 3.3 grams of L-arginine AAKG, 2 grams of Cluster Dextrin, and 200 mg of NAC.
The data indicated that Nobeet supplement increased NO metabolites in plasma and urine by 155%, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by 56%, peroxynitrite by 60%, and 3-nitrotyrosine by 9%.
In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production increased by 413% while levels of the pro-inflammatory IL-6 increased by 73%. However, no significant differences between the groups were recorded for 8-Isoprostane, a biomarker of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, or IL-10 values.
“Our findings suggest that B-bNs may produce a dual effect: enhancement of NO-mediated vasodilatory and metabolic signaling, and preservation of oxidative homeostasis. The simultaneous increases in iNOS, ROS, and peroxynitrite may likely reflect adaptive rather than deleterious oxidative signaling. Such controlled activation may optimize muscle perfusion, oxygen utilization, and mitochondrial efficiency, ultimately contributing to improved performance and recovery potential,” wrote the researchers.
“From a physiological perspective, the observed increase in NO-related metabolites may have relevant implications for endurance exercise. Enhanced NO bioavailability is known to promote vasodilation, thereby improving muscle perfusion and oxygen delivery during exercise, as well as reducing the oxygen cost of submaximal work.”
Source: Nutrients, 2026, 18(8), 1215; doi: 10.3390/nu18081215, “Effect of Beetroot Nitrate Supplementation on Nitric Oxide Pathways and Oxy-Inflammatory Biomarkers in Amateur Triathletes: A Randomized Cross-Over Pilot Study”. Authors: S. Mrakic-Sposta, et al.
