Beetroot Juice Boosts Stamina - Study
In a new study, British researchers have found the nitrate in beetroot juice reduces oxygen uptake in the body, boosting physical stamina and increasing exercise endurance by up to 16 per cent.
The researchers suggest the findings of their study could benefit athletes, elderly people and those with cardiovascular, respiratory and metobolic diseases.
In the study, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, eight men aged 19 to 38 years drank 500 milliliters a day of organic beetroot juice for six consecutive days then completed a series of tests on an exercise bike. The same tests were repeated after the men drank the same amount of a placebo consisting of a blackcurrant cordial for six days.
After they drank the beetroot juice, the men were able to cycle for an average of 11.25 minutes which was 92 seconds longer than after drinking the blackcurrant cordial placebo. In addition, the men had a lower resting blood pressure after drinking the beetroot juice.
The researchers said they were amazed by the effects of beetroot juice on oxygen uptake because the effects could not be achieved by any other known means, including training. They add that they are interested in exploring the relevance of the findings for people who suffer from poor fitness and able to use dietary supplements to help them in their daily routine.
While the researchers were unable to determine the exact mechanism that causes nitrate in beetroot juice to increase stamina, they suspect the nitrate may turn into nitric oxide in the body, reducing oxygen uptake and making exercise less tiring.
