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Cited by 13Cardiovascular and exercise physiologyExercise and Physiological ResponsesSports Performance and Training

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

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Neteca, Jekaterina, Veseta, Una, Liepina, Inga, Volgemute, Katrina, Dzintare, Maija, Babarykin, Dmitry·2024·Nutrients
DOI 10.3390/nu17010063PMC PMC11723218
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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/VO2 and VE/VCO2), and heart rate (HR) (p < 0.05). Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 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.

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  • Greater benefits from dietary nitrate are typically observed in less-trained individuals, whereas highly trained athletes often show limited responses due to their already optimised endogenous NO pathways.

    “Greater benefits are typically observed in less-trained individuals, whereas highly trained athletes often show limited responses due to their already optimised endogenous NO pathways [47,48,49].”

    From Dietary Nitrate-Rich Vegetables as Natural Modulators of Health: Mechanisms and Benefits in Ageing Populations (2026) · cites this paper as [48]

    The Discussion (page not provided) says elite athletes have shown less pronounced VO₂ max improvements and suggests moderately fit individuals may gain greater relative benefits from beetroot juice. It proposes physiological saturation, but does not identify already optimised endogenous nitric-oxide pathways as the cause or establish that this response pattern is typical. (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Nitrate-rich beetroot supplementation has consistently been shown to improve oxygen utilisation and cardiopulmonary efficiency in older populations.

    “Indeed, nitrate-rich beetroot supplementation has consistently been shown to improve oxygen utilisation and cardiopulmonary efficiency in these populations [48,50].”

    From Dietary Nitrate-Rich Vegetables as Natural Modulators of Health: Mechanisms and Benefits in Ageing Populations (2026) · cites this paper as [48]

    The Abstract (page unavailable) reports improved cardiopulmonary measures after beetroot juice supplementation, and the Discussion describes more efficient oxygen use. But the study involved female endurance athletes averaging 22.9 years of age; it does not establish consistent improvements in older populations. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Cited by

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Authors
Neteca, J., Veseta, U., Liepina, I., Volgemute, K., Dzintare, M., & Babarykin, D.
Affiliations
  • Latvian Academy of Sport Education, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
  • Riga Stradiņš University (LV)
  • Latvian Academy of Sport Education, Riga Stradins University, 333 Brivibas Street, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia
  • Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LV)
  • Laboratories and Research Departments, Institute of Innovative Biomedical Technology, 2 Inčukalna Street, LV-1014 Riga, Latvia
Corresponding author
Veseta, Una
ORCID
Venue
Nutrients
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2024-12-27
Volume
17
Issue
1
Pages
63
ISSN
2072-6643 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/nu17010063
PMC
PMC11723218
OpenAlex
W4405967247
Cited by
13
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 4
FWCI
6.50
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Nutrients (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
Keywords
beetroot juice, dietary nitrate, cardiorespiratory fitness, female athletes, endurance athletes, ergogenic aids, VO2max, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, minute ventilation, heart rate, exercise performance
MeSH terms
Fruit and Vegetable Juices, Adolescent, Adult, Exercise Test, Female, Heart Rate, Humans, Nitrates, Oxygen Consumption, Physical Endurance, Plant Roots, Dietary Supplements, Beta vulgaris, Athletic Performance, Young Adult, Athletes, Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

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