Despite the industrial food exploitation of red beet, sugar beet is grown commercially for sugar production due to the high content of sucrose [ 1]. The processing of the sugar depends on the nitrogen availability, especially in the early stages of growth [ 15, 16]. Effects of beetroot on blood pressure and vascular function This conclusion was in agreement with a recent study among animal models, investigating the administration of lacto-fermented beetroot juice (FBJ) alone or along with M-nitroso-N-methyl urea (MNU- as a harmful factor). The results have shown Bifidobacterium to be the most stable microorganism that almost equally colonized the gut epithelium. It also indicated that the mutagen MNU is incapable of affecting microorganism adherence to the gut epithelium. MNU led to various outcomes depending on the bacterial phylus and the type of intervention [ 69]. It is partly evident that a 5 days administration of betalain- rich beetroot juice (25 and 100 mg∙kg∙bm − 1), markedly inhibited NF-κB DNA-binding activity in renal damage- induced rats and significantly suppressed Cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox- 2) expression in vitro by nearly 97%. This revealed a more significant anti-inflammatory effect than many rival synthetic drugs including Ibuprofen, Vioxx and Celebrex [ 4]. It is also proven that a 28 days administration of beetroot juice (250 mg or 500 mg∙kg∙bm − 1), inhibits NF-κB DNA binding activity across nephrotoxic rats in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, an alternative here to synthetically manufactured medications, including Non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs), is to shift towards natural resources and additional treatments [ 4].

Betalains are responsible for the deep red color of beetroots. These pigments have promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitoxic properties. This interesting study builds on previous research by this team and finds that a daily glass of beetroot juice can lower blood pressure in people with hypertension – even those whose high blood pressure was not controlled by drug treatment.Kapil V, Haydar SM, Pearl V, Lundberg JO, Weitzberg E, Ahluwalia A. Physiological role for nitrate-reducing oral bacteria in blood pressure control. Free Radic Biol Med. 2013;55:93–100. Gao X, Yang T, Liu M, Peleli M, Zollbrecht C, Weitzberg E, et al. NADPH oxidase in the renal microvasculature is a primary target for blood pressure–lowering effects by inorganic nitrate and nitrite. Hypertension. 2015;65(1):161–70. Curtis KJ, O'Brien KA, Tanner RJ, Polkey JI, Minnion M, Feelisch M, et al. Acute Dietary Nitrate Supplementation and Exercise Performance in COPD: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomised Controlled Pilot Study. PloS one. 2015;10(12):e0144504. The optimal dose is likely to be 600mg nitrate, equivalent to 2 x 70 ml concentrated beetroot ‘shots’, say University of Exeter researchers, although it has also proved to benefit performance in studies using 300 – 400mg (0.62 mg/kg body weight), equivalent to 500ml beetroot juice or a single 70ml shot. Both acute and chronic loads have an effect. Professor Jones suggests consuming one to two 70ml shots a day for three to five days before competition as well as two to three hours before the race starts (blood NO levels peak 2 – 3 hours after ingestion and approach baseline 12 hours later). Boost your overall dietary nitrate by including more green leafy veg – plus you’ll gain the benefits of other nutrients in these foods too. Singh A, Verma S, Singh V, Nanjappa C, Roopa N, Raju P. Beetroot juice supplementation increases high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and reduces oxidative stress in physically active individuals. J Pharm Nut Sci. 2015;5(3):179–85.

Shepherd AI, Wilkerson DP, Dobson L, Kelly J, Winyard PG, Jones AM, et al. The effect of dietary nitrate supplementation on the oxygen cost of cycling, walking performance and resting blood pressure in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a double blind placebo controlled, randomised control trial. Nitric Oxide. 2015;48:31–7. The unsustain blood pressure lowering properties, is another substantial topic. A randomized parallel, clinical trial by Jajja et al. among overweight older adults, revealed a progressive decline in SBP measurements following a 3 week beetroot juice supplementation, which returned to the baseline 1 week post-intervention; accordingly, it was concluded that continuous beetroot supplementation might be necessary to sustain beneficial cardiovascular effects [ 31]. Altogether, based on the current prevailing perception, NO 3 and its subsequent NO product are mainly responsible for cardio-protective and hypotensive effects of beetroot supplements; while so, additive or synergistic effects of other bioactive compounds such as vitamin C, polyphenols and carotenoids should not be neglected. Effects of beetroot on glucose and insulin homeostasis Keen JT, Levitt EL, Hodges GJ, Wong BJ. Short-term dietary nitrate supplementation augments cutaneous vasodilatation and reduces mean arterial pressure in healthy humans. Microvasc Res. 2015;98:48–53.Drinking a cup of beetroot juice each day could significantly lower the blood pressure of people with high blood pressure, according to research we funded at Queen Mary University of London.