International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 12 authors, 5 centres
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This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in 16 healthy males found that beetroot extract supplementation had negligible effects on cardiovascular and autonomic recovery after submaximal aerobic exercise. The study's limitations include a small sample size and lack of biomarker measurements, with results deemed clinically weak.
Beetroot extract is widely used for cardiovascular recovery, but evidence for its effects on autonomic and cardiovascular parameters after submaximal aerobic exercise is limited. This study aimed to investigate these effects in healthy males. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial was conducted with 16 healthy males. Participants ingested beetroot extract (600 mg) or placebo 120 min before submaximal aerobic exercise on a treadmill at 65-70% of estimated maximum heart rate. Cardiovascular parameters (SBP, DBP, MAP, PP, HR) and autonomic parameters (HRV indices: HF, RMSSD) were measured at rest and during 60 min of recovery. Key Results: Beetroot extract slightly accelerated reductions in HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP after exercise compared to placebo, but no significant group effects or interactions were found (e.g., p=0.99 for HR mean, p=0.90 for SBP). The HF index recovered faster, but RMSSD did not show significant differences. Overall, effects were negligible. Limitations: The study had a small sample size, did not measure oxidative stress biomarkers or nitrate/nitrite concentrations, and exercise intensity may have been too low for significant effects. Additionally, only males were included, and BMI criteria were adjusted. Implications: Results are clinically weak, suggesting that beetroot extract has minimal impact on recovery after submaximal aerobic exercise. Further research with different exercise intensities, biomarkers, and diverse populations is needed to clarify potential benefits.
