The study measured 8 males cyclist’s time to exhaustion during intensive cycling and found that the participants who used beetroot vs the placebo were able to ride for 92 seconds longer. Also when they exercised at moderate intensity the amount of oxygen they used was decreased by 19 percent. The researchers believe beetroot juice’s high level of nitrates may be converted to nitric oxide in the body allowing better blood flow to skeletal muscles.
Like all studies there could be a number of flaws, and there is a large confounding variable. My advice would be to experiment with beetroot juice before a week of heavy conditioning, and see if it helps. Take one cup of beetroot juice daily for a week. During this time make sure you record if your making progress, and mentally note whether it has any negative gastrointestinal effects. If you don’t mind the taste or the purple color it turns your feces, then feel free to use this drink as a staple in your diet.
This study may have implications for other vegetable and vegetable juices as well. We struggle so much in this soceity to get enough vegetables, so drinking fresh vegetable juice should not be discouraged they can be a great source of carbohydrate and help increase the PH of our blood (Our blood should be slightly basic). For Body composition, and possibly performance benefits it is never a bad idea to eat a majority of your carbohydrates from fresh vegetable sources.
Beet Kvass - fermented beet juice is the best. Thanks for sharing about the purple color.
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