CoChat
Sign Up
Cited by 206Cardiovascular and exercise physiologyExercise and Physiological ResponsesMuscle metabolism and nutrition

Dietary Nitrate and Physical Performance

Open access
Jones, Andrew M., Thompson, Christopher, Wylie, Lee J., Vanhatalo, Anni·2018·Annual Review of Nutrition
DOI 10.1146/annurev-nutr-082117-051622
Open this paper in CoChat — free accountOpen PDF

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a plethora of important roles in the human body. Insufficient production of NO (for example, during older age and in various disease conditions) can adversely impact health and physical performance. In addition to its endogenous production through the oxidation of l-arginine, NO can be formed nonenzymatically via the reduction of nitrate and nitrite, and the storage of these anions can be augmented by the consumption of nitrate-rich foodstuffs such as green leafy vegetables. Recent studies indicate that dietary nitrate supplementation, administered most commonly in the form of beetroot juice, can ( a) improve muscle efficiency by reducing the O 2 cost of submaximal exercise and thereby improve endurance exercise performance and ( b) enhance skeletal muscle contractile function and thereby improve muscle power and sprint exercise performance. This review describes the physiological mechanisms potentially responsible for these effects, outlines the circumstances in which ergogenic effects are most likely to be evident, and discusses the effects of dietary nitrate supplementation on physical performance in a range of human populations.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1146/annurev-nutr-082117-051622

Cites

180 of 180 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

50 of 149 cited sources checked · 38 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation

    Six days of nitrate supplementation improved high-intensity intermittent exercise performance in trained soccer players who consumed ~13 mmol nitrate per day.

    “However, six days of NO 3 supplementation has been reported to improve high-intensity intermittent exercise performance in trained soccer players who consumed ∼13 mmol NO 3 -per day (110)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
  • Premisecitation

    Seven days of nitrate supplementation increased the expression of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-handling proteins calsequestrin and dihydropyridine in the type II skeletal muscle of NaNO3-supplemented mice.

    “Indeed, seven days of NO 3 -supplementation increased the expression of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ -handling proteins, calsequestrin and dihydropyridine, in the type II skeletal muscle of NaNO 3 -supplemented mice (53).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
  • Premisecitation

    An acute high nitrate dose (~10 mmol) did not alter 180-m sprint running performance compared to placebo in junior elite cross-country skiers.

    “Furthermore, an acute, high NO 3 -dose (∼10 mmol) did not alter 180-m sprint running performance compared to placebo in junior elite cross-country skiers (131).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
  • Premisecitation

    A single high-nitrate bolus (11.2 mmol) improved isokinetic knee extensor torque at very high angular velocities (360°/s).

    “A single, high-NO 3 -bolus (11.2 mmol) has been shown to improve isokinetic knee extensor torque at very high angular velocities (360 • s -1 ) (28)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [28] source

      The Methods describe a single 11.2 mmol nitrate dose and testing at 360°/s. The Results report that peak torque at that velocity only tended to increase (P=0.12); the increase was significant when torque was expressed relative to maximal isometric torque. The claim omits that distinction. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    A low dose of nitrate (~5 mmol) administered acutely improved maximal power during 3-4-s inertial-load cycling sprints in trained athletes.

    “A low dose of NO 3 -(∼5 mmol) administered acutely improved maximal power during 3-4-s inertial-load cycling sprints in trained athletes (128)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [128] source

      The Abstract Methods and Results report that acute nitrate supplementation improved maximal power during 3–4-s inertial-load cycling trials in trained athletes. However, Methods > Methodology states that participants received two doses containing about 11.2 mmol nitrate in total, not a total dose of approximately 5 mmol. The indexed passages provide no page numbers. (LLM, conf=0.90)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 6
  • May combine two claims. 32

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Exercise is known to promote several mechanisms that maintain brain structure and function.

    “Exercise is known to promote several mechanisms that maintain brain structure and function (29,40)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [29] source
    • cites [40] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    An early study showed that nitrate supplementation attenuated the muscle metabolic perturbation during high-intensity knee-extension exercise in hypoxia (14.5% O2) and restored exercise tolerance to that observed in normoxia.

    “An early study showed that NO 3 -supplementation attenuated the muscle metabolic perturbation during high-intensity knee-extension exercise in hypoxia (14.5% O 2 ) and restored exercise tolerance to that observed in normoxia (152).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation

    Evidence for enhanced O2 delivery does not exclude the possibility that nitrate-induced alterations in metabolic control and mitochondrial efficiency also contribute to increased Qmax in hypoxia.

    “It should be noted that evidence for enhanced O 2 delivery does not exclude the possibility that NO 3 --induced alterations in metabolic control (153) and mitochondrial efficiency (81) also contribute to increased Qmax in hypoxia.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [153] source
    • cites [81] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    These studies suggest that the exercise capacity of physically active individuals is improved during hypoxic exercise (11-14.5% O2) when nitrate supplementation is continued for 24 h-6 days, but not following acute nitrate ingestion.

    “These studies suggest that the exercise capacity of physically active individuals is improved during hypoxic exercise (11-14.5% O 2 ) when NO 3 -supplementation is continued for 24 h-6 days (59, 69, 95, 152; cf.130), but not following acute NO 3 -ingestion (46).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [59] source
    • cites [69] source
    • cites [95] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Some studies indicate that acute nitrate supplementation (~6-15 mmol) can improve exercise performance in a time trial, but others have found no significant ergogenic effects.

    “Some studies indicate that acute NO 3 -supplementation (∼6-15 mmol) can improve exercise performance in a TT (106, 134, 135), but others have found no significant ergogenic effects (5,91,111).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [106] source
    • cites [134] source
    • cites [135] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Only one study has investigated the effects of chronic (three-day) nitrate supplementation and found that 15-km cycle time-trial performance was not improved in trained cyclists exercising in 11% O2.

    “Only one study has investigated the effects of chronic (three-day) NO 3 -supplementation and found that 15-km cycle TT performance was not improved in trained cyclists exercising in 11% O 2 (16).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    While the efficacy of dietary nitrate to reduce systemic blood pressure in older age has been extensively studied, relatively few studies have assessed the effects of nitrate supplementation on exercise capacity in healthy older individuals.

    “While the efficacy of dietary NO 3 -to reduce systemic blood pressure in older age has been extensively studied (reviewed in 140; see also 139, 142), relatively few studies have assessed the effects of NO 3 -supplementation on exercise capacity in healthy older individuals.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [140] source

      Split into 2 atoms — 1 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [139] source
    • cites [142] source

      Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 0 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 2 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Some studies have indicated that nitric oxide donors and nitrate supplementation may enhance cerebral perfusion, particularly to areas responsible for executive functioning, and enhance coupling of cerebral blood flow to neuronal activity.

    “Some studies have indicated that NO donors and NO 3 -supplementation may enhance cerebral perfusion (52, 122), particularly to areas responsible for executive functioning (122), and enhance coupling of cerebral blood flow to neuronal activity (1, 119).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [52] source
    • cites [122] source
    • cites [1] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Three days of sodium nitrate supplementation increased plasma [NO2-] and reduced the O2 cost of submaximal cycle exercise.

    “In 2007, Larsen et al. (83) made the remarkable discovery that three days of sodium nitrate (NaNO 3 ) supplementation increased the plasma [NO 2 -] and reduced the O 2 cost of submaximal cycle exercise (83).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [83] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Three days of beetroot juice supplementation doubled plasma [NO2-] and reduced the increase in VO2 during exercise by approximately 5%.

    “Following three days of beetroot juice supplementation, the plasma [NO 2 -] was doubled, and the increase in O 2 uptake ( V O 2 ) during exercise was reduced by approximately 5% (9).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [9] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Dietary nitrate supplementation, most commonly as beetroot juice, can improve muscle efficiency by reducing the O2 cost of submaximal exercise and thereby improve endurance exercise performance.

    “Recent studies indicate that dietary nitrate supplementation, administered most commonly in the form of beetroot juice, can (a) improve muscle efficiency by reducing the O 2 cost of submaximal exercise and thereby improve endurance exercise performance and (b) enhance skeletal muscle contractile function and thereby improve muscle power and sprint exercise performance.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The efficacy of NO3- supplementation depends on several factors, including the training status of the participants, the dose and duration of NO3 supplementation, and the duration, intensity, and nature of the exercise task.

    “While many studies have confirmed the early observations described above, others have not, and it appears that the efficacy of NO 3 -supplementation depends on several factors, including the training status of the participants, the dose and duration of NO 3 supplementation, and the duration, intensity, and nature of the exercise task (63).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [63] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    In athletes or recreational exercise enthusiasts, improved exercise efficiency following NO3- ingestion would be expected to enable the same work rate to be sustained for longer or a higher work rate to be sustained for the same duration.

    “In athletes or recreational exercise enthusiasts, improved exercise efficiency following NO 3 -ingestion would be expected to enable the same work rate to be sustained for longer or a higher work rate to be sustained for the same duration.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    NO3- administration improved 4.0-km and 16.1-km time trial performance by 2.8% and 2.7%, respectively.

    “Consistent with the experimental hypothesis, NO 3 -administration improved 4.0-km and 16.1-km TT performance by 2.8% and 2.7%, respectively (78).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [78] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Dietary nitrate ingestion permits more muscular work to be performed per unit time for the same energy cost, i.e., the efficiency of skeletal muscle contraction is enhanced.

    “These results imply that dietary nitrate ingestion permits more muscular work to be performed per unit time for the same energy cost, i.e., that the efficiency of skeletal muscle contraction is enhanced.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    NO3- supplementation reduced mitochondrial proton leakage and uncoupled respiration.

    “These results elegantly demonstrated that NO 3 -supplementation reduced mitochondrial proton leakage and uncoupled respiration.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [81] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    NO3- supplementation improves exercise efficiency by improving the efficiency of both muscle contraction and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.

    “Taken together with the findings of Bailey et al. (8), those of Larsen et al. (81) suggest that NO 3 -supplementation improves exercise efficiency by improving the efficiency of both muscle contraction (reduced high-energy phosphate cost of force production) and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (increased P/O ratio).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [8] source
    • cites [81] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    NO3- supplementation may provide an ergogenic effect for highly trained kayakers and rowers, although these improvements are dependent on a sufficient dose of NO3- being administered.

    “In all, these findings suggest that while NO 3 -supplementation appears less effective at improving economy and performance in highly trained and elite athletes during cycling and running exercise, NO 3 -supplementation may provide an ergogenic effect for highly trained kayakers and rowers, although these improvements are dependent on a sufficient dose of NO 3 -being administered.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [105] source
    • cites [116] source
    • cites [56] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Extending the supplementation period (at least up to four weeks) does not improve or reduce the effects of NO3- consumption on exercise economy, but exercise performance may benefit from a chronic, rather than an acute, supplementation strategy.

    “In all, these reports suggest that extending the supplementation period (at least up to four weeks) does not improve (or reduce) the effects of NO 3 -consumption on exercise economy but that exercise performance may benefit from a chronic, rather than an acute, supplementation strategy.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    A NO3- dose of 5.0-8.5 mmol is likely to improve exercise economy, but to elicit an improvement in both exercise economy and performance, a NO3- dose of >8.5 mmol might be necessary.

    “Taken together, the findings from these acute NO 3 -consumption studies suggest that a NO 3 -dose of 5.0-8.5 mmol (310-527 mg) is likely to improve exercise economy, but to elicit an improvement in both exercise economy and performance, a NO 3 -dose of >8.5 mmol (>527 mg) might be necessary.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Inorganic NO3- supplementation, particularly when administered chronically, can improve performance in moderately trained endurance athletes (VO2peak < 60 mL/kg/min), but the impact on highly trained or elite endurance athletes (VO2peak ≥ 60 mL/kg/min) is not promising.

    “Although there is evidence that inorganic NO 3 -supplementation, particularly when administered chronically, can improve performance in moderately trained endurance athletes ( V O 2 peak < 60 mL/kg/min), the impact of NO 3 -on highly trained or elite endurance athletes ( V O 2 peak ≥ 60 mL/kg/min) is not promising and has been the topic of much debate (e.g., 66) (Figure 2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [66] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Recent meta-analyses indicate that NO3- supplementation both lowers the O2 cost of exercise and improves endurance exercise performance in healthy volunteers.

    “Despite the discrepancy in the literature, recent meta-analyses indicate that NO 3 -supplementation both lowers the O 2 cost of exercise (114) and improves endurance exercise performance (98) in healthy volunteers.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [114] source
    • cites [98] source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    It is possible that the nitric oxide-mediated signaling cascades generated by nitrate supplementation are synergistic to the molecular signaling processes stimulated by exercise training.

    “It is possible that the NO-mediated signaling cascades generated by NO 3 -supplementation are synergistic to the molecular signaling processes stimulated by exercise training.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Three days of nitrate supplementation increased the total oxygenation index of m. vastus lateralis during cycle exercise by 3.6% compared to placebo, although this effect did not reach statistical significance.

    “In another study, three days of NO 3 -supplementation increased the TOI of m. vastus lateralis during cycle exercise by 3.6% compared to placebo, although this effect did not reach statistical significance (69).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [69] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    This observation indicates that nitrite is utilized by the active muscle, potentially facilitating distribution of O2 to areas of high metabolic activity.

    “This observation indicates that NO 2 -is utilized by the active muscle, potentially facilitating distribution of O 2 to areas of high metabolic activity (145).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [145] source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    As enzymatic production of nitric oxide requires the presence of O2 and essential cofactors, it has been proposed that the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide reduction pathway might compensate for impaired nitric oxide production via nitric oxide synthase under conditions of reduced O2 availability.

    “As enzymatic production of NO requires the presence of O 2 and essential cofactors, it has been proposed that the NO 3 --NO 2 --NO reduction pathway might compensate for impaired NO production via NOS under conditions of reduced O 2 availability (88).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [88] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Dietary supplementation with nitrate may therefore represent a practical and cost-effective means to restore nitric oxide homeostasis and improve exercise tolerance in these populations.

    “Dietary supplementation with NO 3 -may therefore represent a practical and cost-effective means to restore NO homeostasis and improve exercise tolerance in these populations (113).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [113] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    A characteristic feature of these populations is exercise intolerance that often occurs in concert with a reduced nitric oxide production during exercise, suggesting a role for nitric oxide dysfunction in exercise intolerance.

    “A characteristic feature of these populations is exercise intolerance that often occurs in concert with a reduced NO production during exercise (2, 84), suggesting a role for NO dysfunction in exercise intolerance.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [2] source
    • cites [84] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Nitrate supplementation with 9.6 mmol/day for three days resulted in a reduction in systemic blood pressure at rest and a speeding of the VO2 response across the transition from standing rest to treadmill walking in 60-70-year-old men and women.

    “NO 3 -supplementation with 9.6 mmol/day for three days resulted in a reduction in systemic blood pressure at rest and a speeding of the V O 2 response (mean response time) across the transition from standing rest to treadmill walking in 60-70-year-old men and women (68).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [68] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Kelly et al. found no effect of three days of nitrate supplementation on the ability of healthy older adults to complete cognitive tasks at rest, and found no changes in cerebral perfusion and metabolism.

    “In contrast, Kelly et al. (68) found no effect of three days of NO 3 -supplementation on the ability of healthy older adults to complete cognitive tasks at rest, and found no changes in cerebral perfusion and metabolism, measured via 1 H-MRS and 31 P-MRS, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [68] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    During intense exercise, as cerebral oxygenation diminishes, higher-order functions of the prefrontal cortex may be disengaged to avoid compromising optimal motor function, and cognitive abilities are compromised.

    “During intense exercise, as cerebral oxygenation diminishes (133), higher-order functions of the prefrontal cortex may be disengaged to avoid compromising optimal motor function (35), and cognitive abilities are compromised (44,126).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [133] source
    • cites [35] source
    • cites [44] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    This reduced nitric oxide production manifests as a reduction in circulating nitrate and nitrite concentrations, which can be recycled back into bioactive nitric oxide through the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway.

    “This manifests as a reduction in circulating [NO 3 -] and [NO 2 -] (73), which, as described in Section 2, can be recycled back into bioactive NO through the NO 3 --NO 2 --NO pathway.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [73] source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Chronic medication and/or multiple systemic and metabolic maladaptations associated with conditions such as type II diabetes, COPD, and obesity may limit nitric oxide production, nitric oxide bioavailability, and nitric oxide's ultimate bioactivity in target tissues.

    “Chronic medication and/or multiple systemic and metabolic maladaptations associated with conditions such as type II diabetes, COPD, and obesity may limit NO production, NO bioavailability, and NO's ultimate bioactivity in target tissues.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Nitrate ingestion did not affect functional capacity assessed with a 6-min walk test, nor the muscle metabolic response to low-intensity knee-extension exercise measured by 31P-MRS in 60-70-year-old men and women.

    “However, NO 3 -ingestion did not affect functional capacity assessed with a 6-min walk test, nor the muscle metabolic response to low-intensity knee-extension exercise measured by 31 P-MRS (68).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [68] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The greatest differences between nitrate and placebo conditions were observed in the final third of each 40-min half, when fatigue-related alterations in cerebral physiology/cognitive abilities may be greatest.

    “Importantly, the greatest differences between the NO 3 -and placebo conditions were observed in the final third of each 40-min “half ” (148), when fatigue-related alterations in cerebral physiology/cognitive abilities may be greatest (44).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [148] source
    • cites [44] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    While the mechanisms responsible for the physiological effects observed remain unclear, the effects of nitrate on muscle function and performance appear to be robust, at least in non-elite athlete subjects and when an appropriate supplementation regimen is followed.

    “While the mechanisms responsible for the physiological effects observed remain unclear, the effects on muscle function and performance appear to be robust, at least in non-elite athlete subjects and when an appropriate supplementation regimen is followed.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    It is essential that nitric oxide production is maintained at the appropriate rate to support activity, and there are certain circumstances in which it might limit muscular performance, for example during intense exercise, in hypoxia, and in older age and specific disease conditions.

    “It is therefore essential that NO production is maintained at the appropriate rate to support activity, and there are certain circumstances in which it might limit muscular performance (for example, during intense exercise, in hypoxia, and in older age and specific disease conditions).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Nitric oxide plays many important roles relevant to human physical activity, including regulation of neuromuscular activity and muscle excitation-contraction coupling (via Ca2+ activity), mitochondrial respiration, and blood flow and its intramuscular and/or cerebral distribution.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationnone given

    To date, relatively few studies have investigated the influence of nitrate supplementation on cognitive performance during exercise.

    “To date, relatively few studies have investigated the influence of NO 3 -supplementation on cognitive performance during exercise.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
38 of 38

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Exercise in hypoxia is associated with reduced muscle oxidative function and impaired exercise tolerance.

    “Exercise in hypoxia is associated with reduced muscle oxidative function and impaired exercise tolerance.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Athletes competing in both individual and team sports must make quick and accurate decisions while simultaneously performing exercise at varying intensities.

    “athletes competing in both individual and team sports must make quick and accurate decisions while simultaneously performing exercise at varying intensities.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Nitric oxide plays many important roles relevant to human physical activity, including regulation of neuromuscular activity and muscle excitation-contraction coupling (via Ca2+ activity), mitochondrial respiration, and blood flow and its intramuscular and/or cerebral distribution.

    “NO plays many important roles that are relevant to human physical activity, including regulation of neuromuscular activity and muscle excitation-contraction coupling (via Ca 2+ activity), mitochondrial respiration, and blood flow and its intramuscular and/or cerebral distribution.”
3 of 3

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Safety concerns regarding dietary nitrate primarily relate to its potential conversion into nitrosamines (NOCs).

    “Safety concerns regarding dietary nitrate primarily relate to its potential conversion into nitrosamines, also known as N-nitroso compounds (NOCs) [185,188].”

    From Dietary Nitrate-Rich Vegetables as Natural Modulators of Health: Mechanisms and Benefits in Ageing Populations (2026) · cites this paper as [188]

    The Introduction says nitrate and nitrite were long considered carcinogens, although the evidence was relatively weak, and describes a reevaluation of dietary nitrate’s risks. It does not identify conversion to nitrosamines or N-nitroso compounds as the primary safety concern; searches for those terms found no such passage. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Vegetables provide antioxidants and bioactive compounds that enhance NO bioavailability and inhibit nitrosamine formation.

    “vegetables provide antioxidants and bioactive compounds that enhance NO bioavailability and inhibit nitrosamine formation [185,188].”

    From Dietary Nitrate-Rich Vegetables as Natural Modulators of Health: Mechanisms and Benefits in Ageing Populations (2026) · cites this paper as [188]

    The Introduction says nitrate-rich vegetables can boost NO production, and Section 2 says vitamin C and polyphenols enhance the conversion of nitrite to NO. The cited passages do not say that vegetables inhibit nitrosamine formation; page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • In a cohort of 1420 older women ≥70 years, each standard deviation higher nitrate intake (31.2 mg/kg) was associated with stronger grip strength and faster timed-up-and-go.

    “In a large cohort of 1420 older women of ≥70 years of age, the relationship between total nitrate intake and muscle function measures was analyzed [33]. Each standard deviation higher nitrate intake (31.2 mg/kg) was associated with stronger grip strength and faster timed-up-and-go”

    From A 12-Week Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial, Evaluating the Effect of Supplementation with a Spinach Extract on Skeletal Muscle Fitness in Adults Older Than 50 Years of Age (2021) · cites this paper as [33]

  • Inorganic nitrate ingestion, often administered as concentrated NO3−-rich beetroot juice, has been reported to confer ergogenic effects in various exercise modalities including running, rowing, kayaking, knee extensions and cycling.

    “More recently, inorganic nitrate (NO3−) ingestion, often administered as concentrated NO3−-rich beetroot juice (BR), has been reported to confer ergogenic effects in various exercise modalities [35], including running [36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47], rowing [48,49], kayaking [50], knee extensions [37,51] and cycling [52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64].”

    From Effects of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Weightlifting Exercise Performance in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review (2020) · cites this paper as [35]

  • Dietary nitrate can be serially reduced to nitric oxide (NO), providing a complementary pathway to the nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-supported conversion of arginine to NO.

    “Dietary nitrate can be serially reduced to nitric oxide (NO), providing a complementary pathway to the nitric oxide synthase (NOS-)supported conversion of arginine to NO [19].”

    From Neither beetroot juice supplementation nor increased carbohydrate oxidation enhance economy of prolonged exercise in elite race walkers (2021) · cites this paper as [19]

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Citation 83 points to a different study

    Minor

    The text assigns reference 83 to a 2007 study by Larsen and colleagues, but entry 83 in the supplied reference list is a 2016 study by Lefferts and colleagues.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. Coyle EF, 1979, Med. Sci. Sports, 11, 12
  2. Modin A, 2001, Acta Physiol. Scand., 171, 9
  3. Petrie M, 2017, J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., 72, 1284
  4. Schena F, 2002, J. Sports Med. Phys. Fitness, 42, 129
  5. Wagner DA, 1983, Cancer Res, 43, 1921

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Jones, A. M., Thompson, C., Wylie, L. J., & Vanhatalo, A.
Affiliations
University of Exeter (GB)
Corresponding author
Jones, Andrew M.
ORCID
Venue
Annual Review of Nutrition
Publisher
Annual Reviews
Published
2018-08-21
Volume
38
Issue
1
Pages
303-328
ISSN
  • 0199-9885 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-4312
DOI
10.1146/annurev-nutr-082117-051622
OpenAlex
W2888009838
Cited by
206
References
168
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 39 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 1
FWCI
4.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Annual Review of Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Keywords
dietary nitrate, nitric oxide, nitrate supplementation, beetroot juice, physical performance, endurance exercise, sprint performance, muscle efficiency, oxygen cost of exercise, skeletal muscle contractile function, nitrite, leafy vegetables, ergogenic aids
MeSH terms
Diet, Food Analysis, Humans, Nitrates, Nitric Oxide, Exercise

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-11.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-11.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review