Beet It Organic concentrated beetroot shot (Pack of 15 x 70ml)

Product Information

Vidal, P. J., et al. (2014). Inactivation of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase by natural betalains and semi-synthetic analogues [Abstract]. Several beetroot formulations have been designed and tested according to the group population to be supplemented, to produce convenient and attractive dietary NO 3 − sources to stimulate NO production and promote beneficial health effects [ 11, 12, 18, 19]. A dietary intake superior to 6.3 mmol is necessary to increase NO levels and blood pressure reductions in both healthy individuals and those presenting cardiovascular diseases (CVD)-risk factors.

The potential interaction of NO 3- rich beetroot juice with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and consequent severe hypotension, is another consideration. Beneficial properties of beetroot can be profoundly affected by medications imposing undesirable interaction with metabolism and the ultimate metabolic pathways of NO 3/ NO 2; as such, the hypotensive effect of orally ingested NO 2 is proposed to be abolished by esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor [ 18]. With the challenge of formulating biologically safe, NO 3− rich beetroot supplements, various preparation methods such as beetroot juice freeze-drying for the production of beetroot powder, have initially been introduced. Red round thin beetroot chips and pseudoplastic beetroot gels are also of the most recently invented and functional forms of beetroot supplements. Beetroot chips are known to contain the highest energy content (Kcal), carbohydrate and total sugar, the highest value of Total Antioxidant Potential (TAP) and the lowest value of Total Phenolic Content (TPC), flavonoids and Saponin level. The pseudoplastic gel, as a mean of NO 3 administration to athletes, is believed to contain the highest protein and lowest lipid content, ranking beetroot gel not as the most commonly used but most effective formulation comparing to other byproducts [ 8].

How to Use Beetroot Juice

In contrary to the most common conclusion, emphasizing the exclusive role of NO 3 on the hypotensive effect of beetroot, a recent meta-analysis highlighted the potential NO 3 independent blood pressure lowering effect and postulated a dose-dependent relationship between inorganic NO 3 and its hypotensive effect [ 47]. There are other studies in agreement with this investigation, which have indicated a similar microvascular, vasodilator property following the consumption of NO3- rich beetroot juice, compared to a NO3- depleted placebo, within a period of 24 days [ 28]; hence, it is suggested that bioactive components other than NO3, may mediate dilatory responses among both beverages [ 6]. Moreover, various commercial organic and conventional beetroot juices, are reported to contain total sugar, vitamin C and total flavonoids within a range of 1.73–7.85 g, 10.75–20.36 mg, and 2.02–2.36 mg (per 100 g), respectively [ 12]. Betalains make up to ~ 70–100% of phenolic composition of beetroot, limited to 0.8–1.3 g/L of fresh beetroot juice (about 60% betacyanins and 40% betaxanthins) [ 1]. Kumar Y. Beetroot: A Super Food. International Journal of Engineering Studies and Technical Approach March 2015;Volume 01, No.3.

Olumese, F. E., & Oboh, H. A. (2018). Hepatoprotective effect of beetroot juice on liver injury in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The possibility of using a natural product, rather than another pill, to help lower blood pressure, is very appealing Dr Shannon Amoils Butt MS, Randhawa MA, Shahid M. Nephroprotective effects of red beetroot-based beverages against gentamicin-induced renal stress. J Food Biochemistry. 2016;103:e12873. The optimal dose is likely to be 600mg nitrate, equivalent to 2 x 70 ml concentrated beetroot ‘shots’, say University of Exeter researchers, although it has also proved to benefit performance in studies using 300 – 400mg (0.62 mg/kg body weight), equivalent to 500ml beetroot juice or a single 70ml shot. Both acute and chronic loads have an effect. Professor Jones suggests consuming one to two 70ml shots a day for three to five days before competition as well as two to three hours before the race starts (blood NO levels peak 2 – 3 hours after ingestion and approach baseline 12 hours later). Boost your overall dietary nitrate by including more green leafy veg – plus you’ll gain the benefits of other nutrients in these foods too. Discard the pulp and pour the beetroot juice into a glass. Chill it in the refrigerator or serve it straight away.

What does it do?

Shepherd AI, Wilkerson DP, Fulford J, Winyard PG, Benjamin N, Shore AC, et al. Effect of nitrate supplementation on hepatic blood flow and glucose homeostasis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized control trial. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2016;311(3):G356–G64. Clifford T, Howatson G, West D, Stevenson E. The potential benefits of red beetroot supplementation in health and disease. Nutrients. 2015;7(4):2801–22. Coles LT, Clifton PM. Effect of beetroot juice on lowering blood pressure in free-living, disease-free adults: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Nutr J. 2012;11:106.

The administration of 270 mL beetroot juice among healthy adults in a randomized cross-over study, suspended the postprandial glycemic response and lowered the sustainability and peak of blood glucose level; therefore in contrast to a sugar-matched control drink, appeared useful [ 56].Agency CFI. The Biology of Beta vulgaris L. (Sugar Beet). Canadian Food Inspection Agency; Canada: Government of Canada; 2012 [cited 2018]. Available from: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/plants-with-novel-traits/applicants/directive-94-08/biology-documents/beta-vulgaris-l-/eng/1330725373948/1330725437349. Some OAs are involved in the beneficial effect promoted by certain foods against oxidative stress, aiding in chronic and degenerative conditions, including cardiovascular diseases [ 40]. A growing body of research suggests that beetroots can help lower a person’s blood pressure. Researchers believe that this is due to their nitrate content. Kemmner S, Lorenz G, Wobst J, Kessler T, Wen M, Günthner R, et al. Dietary nitrate load lowers blood pressure and renal resistive index in patients with chronic kidney disease: a pilot study. Nitric Oxide. 2017;64:7–15. BVEE beverage (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o) was also suggested to be practical on kidney lipid peroxidation factors. The activity level of catalase, as an important antioxidant enzymes, was reduced by 27.97% following GM treatment, and notably increased by 83.92 and 92.62%, respectively, following the administration of 250 and 500 mg/kg BVEE. Similar trend was present for NP- SH content (non- protein sulfhydryl- for the measurement of renal non- protein sulfhydryl); a reduction of 37.94% following 85 mg/kg GM treatment was present, comparing to 71 and 81.71% increase in 250 and 500 mg/kg BVEE, respectively. The total protein content of GM treated animals was decreased by 71.46% in comparison with a dose dependent increase in pretreated groups of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg BVEE by 37.35 and 43.74%, respectively [ 79].

Avoid using antibacterial mouthwash, as this removes beneficial bacteria in the mouth that convert some of the nitrate to nitrite and thus reduces the benefits of beetroot juice. As for side effects, there’s a harmless, temporary, pink colouration of urine and stools. Several protective strategies have been introduced to hold effective reno-protective implications. The blood pressure lowering effect via the action of Guanylyl Cyclases and cGMP, and subsequent nitrate- nitrite pathway of the facultative bacteria [ 76], a nitrate- mediated reduction of renal oxidative stress via decreasing the NADH oxidase activity and angiotensin II receptor (signals that attenuate angiotensin II-mediated renal arteriolar contraction) [ 77, 78] are of all conclusions drawn to explain the mechanism of action. Hobbs DA, Kaffa N, George TW, Methven L, Lovegrove JA. Blood pressure-lowering effects of beetroot juice and novel beetroot-enriched bread products in normotensive male subjects. Br J Nutr. 2012;108(11):2066–74.

What is it?

Velmurugan S, Gan JM, Rathod KS, Khambata RS, Ghosh SM, Hartley A, et al. Dietary nitrate improves vascular function in patients with hypercholesterolemia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015;103(1):25–38. Kerley CP, Dolan E, Cormican L. Nitrate-rich beetroot juice selectively lowers ambulatory pressures and LDL cholesterol in uncontrolled but not controlled hypertension: a pilot study. Ir J Med Sci. 2017;186(4):895–902.