This is a follow-up article from Dr. Gabe Mirkin (www.drmirkin.com) on a current topic…
A recent study shows no improvement in speed or endurance in trained cyclists after taking beet root juice. In May 2011, I reported on research that seemed to show that beet root juice would make you a better athlete: http://www.drmirkin.com/public/ezine052911.html
Based on the new data, I now believe that taking beet root juice before competition will not help an athlete race faster or have greater endurance.
THE RATIONALE FOR BEET ROOT JUICE BEFORE COMPETITION:
The limiting factor to how fast you can race is the time it takes to bring oxygen into muscles. Beet root juice is a rich source of nitrates. Nitrates widen blood vessels, so theoretically the beet root juice could bring more oxygen into muscles so you could move faster.
THE NEW EVIDENCE: This month, one of the most respected research groups in sports medicine showed that competitive cyclists gain no advantage from taking beet root juice (Scand J Med Sci Sports, Oct 1, 2012). Jens Bangsbo, of the University of Copenhagen, gave a half liter of beet root juice to professional bicycle racers for six days and achieved very high blood levels of nitrates. Those receiving a placebo had the same repeated sprint and endurance times, ability to transport and use oxygen, and power output. Dr. Bangsbo states: “In contrast to observations in moderately trained subjects, intake of beet root juice had no effect on VO(2) kinetics (oxygen use) and performance in elite cyclists.”
A team from the University of Barcelona in Spain had the same results, showing that a single oral dose of inorganic nitrate acutely reduced oxygen use but did not improve performance of athletes (Med S11 Oct; 43(10):1979-86).
On the other hand, researchers at Maastricht University Medical Centre, in The Netherlands found that beet root juice helped trained cyclists ride faster in time trials (Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2012 Feb;22(1):64-71). Fpr a more complete discussion on nitrates and beet root juice see http://www.drmirkin.com/public/ezine052911.html