Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) is a root vegetable that is one of the richest dietary sources of inorganic nitrate; concentrated beetroot juice and 'shots' are widely used as nitrate supplements. After ingestion, nitrate is reduced to nitrite by bacteria on the tongue and is then converted in the body to nitric oxide, a signaling molecule that relaxes blood vessels (vasodilation) and increases blood flow. This nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway is thought to underlie beetroot's effects on blood pressure, vascular function and the oxygen cost of exercise. Other leafy vegetables such as spinach, rocket and celery are also high in nitrate.
Meta-analyses of randomized trials show that beetroot juice and dietary nitrate lower blood pressure—about 5 mmHg systolic on average across trials in hypertension, and in one pivotal placebo-controlled trial in hypertensive patients roughly 7-8 mmHg, including 24-hour ambulatory readings, sustained over four weeks alongside improved endothelial function and reduced arterial stiffness. An umbrella review of 20 meta-analyses also found improved exercise time-to-exhaustion, muscular endurance and peak power, particularly at nitrate doses of 6 mmol or more per day, and several studies suggest older adults may benefit through improved vascular and muscle function. However, the evidence is honestly mixed: most trials are small and short, individual responses vary widely, diastolic effects are inconsistent, trials in COPD and a 13-week cognition study found no benefit, and no trial has tested long-term outcomes such as stroke or heart attack. The effect also depends on oral bacteria that convert nitrate to nitrite—antiseptic mouthwash largely abolishes it. Betalain pigments and other beetroot compounds may add antioxidant effects beyond nitrate. This evidence describes inorganic nitrate and the beetroot / nitrate mechanism in general, not this specific commercial product.
Peer-reviewed studies on the active compound — citations link to PubMed.
“Beetroot juice significantly reduced systolic (−5.33 mmHg) and diastolic (−3.01 mmHg) blood pressure and improved exercise capacity.”
“Beetroot nitrate is metabolized via the nitrate–nitrite–nitric oxide pathway, increasing NO bioavailability; NO is a vasodilator that improves blood flow, lowers blood pressure and improves endothelial function.”
“Dietary nitrate supplementation reduced systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure and augmented exercise capacity in the context of rehabilitation.”
“These data suggest that BTJ supplementation is more effective than SN for attenuating muscle pain associated with EIMD, and that any analgesic effects are likely due to phytonutrients in BTJ other than nitrate, or interactions between them.”
“The results revealed a statistically significant decrease in DOMS in the gastrocnemius muscles 24 hours post-descending in the BRJ group compared to the control group (p = 0.003, pEta2 = 0.204).”
“Pressure pain threshold was greater with beetroot juice 48 (SMD: 0.58, p = 0.03) and 72 h post-exercise (SMD: 0.61, p = 0.02).”
Research describes the active mechanism and is not a claim about this specific product.
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Yes — its active compound is linked to 24 peer-reviewed studies, summarized and cited above.
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