Beetroot juice increase nitric oxide metabolites in both men and women regardless of body mass

Abstract

The nitrate (NO₃⁻) present in beetroot juice (BJ) has been studied for its effect on the cardiovascular system by converting to nitric oxide (NO). In the present study, we evaluated the effect of BJ on the excretion of NO metabolites and its relationship with body mass in both men and women. NO metabolites – urinary NO₃⁻, nitrite (NO₂⁻) and NO_x were analyzed by using a high-performance liquid chromatography system. There were significant increases in urinary NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻ and NO_x in BJ as compared to PLA (BJ without NO₃⁻). No significant difference between men and women was observed in NO metabolites after BJ at any time point. There were no significant relationships between urinary NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻ and NO_x and body mass in BJ intervention for both men and women. In conclusion, urinary NO metabolites after BJ consumption increases in similar manner between sexes regardless of body mass.

Keywords:

• Beetroot
• functional food
• gender effect
• nitrate
• nitrite

Acknowledgements

The authors would thank Ricky Toledano for preparing the English version of the manuscript.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this manuscript.

The Research Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro – FAPERJ provided financial support for the study (process no. E-26/111.297/2013 and E-26/110.309/2014).