The dose-response effects of nitrate-rich beetroot ingestion on cardiovascular and endothelial function: a randomised controlled trial

Food Funct. 2026 Mar 9;17(5):2372-2383. doi: 10.1039/d5fo05298j.

Abstract

Dietary nitrate (NO3-) supplementation has been reported to improve cardiovascular health, but beyond its effects on brachial artery blood pressure (BP), dose-response effects on other cardiovascular variables are unclear. This study assessed the effects of three acute NO3- doses (200 mg, 400 mg, 800 mg NO3--rich beetroot powder) on brachial and aortic BP, arterial stiffness and macrovascular endothelial function, in a double-blind, randomised, crossover design. Cardiovascular variables and venous blood samples were measured prior to (control) and 2.5 h post supplement ingestion. Dietary NO3- supplementation increased plasma [NO3-] and plasma [nitrite] but had no effect on cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) concentration. Arterial stiffness markers improved following all NO3- doses, with no between-dose differences. However, endothelial function only improved following 400 mg (+3.07% compared to control) and aortic systolic BP only improved following 800 mg (-4 mmHg compared to control) dietary NO3- supplementation. Acute NO3- ingestion improved some cardiovascular risk factors, including arterial stiffness, macrovascular endothelial function and aortic systolic BP with different dose-response effects, but had no effect on brachial BP or plasma [cGMP]. These findings improve our understanding of NO3- supplementation and cardiovascular function in healthy adults.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Beta vulgaris* / chemistry
  • Beta vulgaris* / metabolism
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Brachial Artery / drug effects
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Cyclic GMP / blood
  • Dietary Supplements / analysis
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Endothelium, Vascular* / drug effects
  • Endothelium, Vascular* / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitrates* / administration & dosage
  • Nitrates* / metabolism
  • Vascular Stiffness / drug effects
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Nitrates
  • Cyclic GMP