Beetroot Supplementation Supports Nitric Oxide Activation, Oxidative Balance in Athletes: Study

A new pilot study published in Nutrients revealed mechanistic insights into how supplementation with a nitrate-rich beetroot ingredient developed by Italian company Gensan supports nitric oxide availability.

The study, conducted by researchers from the Italian National Research Council, showed that the ingredient supported the activation of nitric oxide pathways without evidence of lipid peroxidation, which is an important consideration for formulators, brands, and practitioners evaluating the safety and physiological relevance of nitrate supplementation.

The study was conducted in a group of amateur male triathletes using a randomized crossover design; it found that one week of supplementation significantly increased nitric oxide (NO) metabolites in both plasma and urine by about 155%. Markers linked to inflammatory and oxidative responses, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) also increased.

Importantly, no significant changes were observed in markers of oxidative damage, indicating no evidence of oxidative damage despite the rise in redox-related activity.

The findings, the authors wrote, are consistent with physiological activation of signaling pathways rather than a harmful oxidative response.

“These findings suggest that nitrate supplementation may enhance nitric oxide bioavailability while maintaining oxidative balance,” said Simona Mrakic-Sposta, PhD, joint first and corresponding author of the study. “Although increases in reactive oxygen species and inflammatory markers are often interpreted as negative, in this context they appear to reflect a controlled physiological response. The absence of increased lipid peroxidation supports the interpretation that this activation does not translate into oxidative damage.”

The study was exploratory in nature, with a small sample size and no direct performance outcomes measured, the authors noted, warranting further research in larger cohorts to confirm practical implications.