If you have breathing troubles, nitrates – a compound found in beetroot – may be able to help. Previous studies have shown that nitrates can help improve muscle function by optimising the way the muscles use calcium. Since the diaphragm is a muscle, researchers from the University of Florida wanted to see if those benefits could be translated to the diaphragm.
For the study, researchers split older mice into two groups. One group was given drinking water that contained sodium nitrate daily for 14 days. The other group was given plain water. After the study period, they measured the isometric force and peak power of the diaphragm muscles in the mice and found that both significantly increased in the group of mice given nitrates in their drinking water.
This increase in force and power translated to improved contraction of the diaphragm muscle, which can then improve lung function and breathing. The increased power in the diaphragm could also help older people clear the lungs more effectively, which may help reduce the risk of developing infections. For reference, the mice used in the study were 24 months old, which is equivalent to about 70 years of age in humans.
This is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic for two reasons. The first is that severe symptoms disproportionally affect the older population. We already know that respiratory muscle function declines with age, contributing to breathing troubles, impaired airway clearance and a decreased quality of life. Since nitrates can improve muscle function of the diaphragm, it may help improve the outlook for older populations with respiratory infections like COVID-19.
The study’s author, Leonardo Ferreira, also points out that one of the problems with weaning COVID-19 patients off ventilators is respiratory muscle dysfunction. If dietary nitrates can help improve that muscle function, it may make the transition from ventilators to independent breathing more successful.
The nitrates in beetroot have also been shown to help improve oxygen uptake by dilating the blood vessels and allowing more oxygen to be delivered to muscles, like the diaphragm, and other cells.
Other Benefits of Beetroot
But beetroot aren’t only good for your lungs. Other studies have shown that red beetroot may also:
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Lower Your Blood Pressure Drinking beetroot juice may help to lower blood pressure in a matter of hours. One study found that drinking one glass of beetroot juice lowered systolic blood pressure by an average of four to five points. The benefit likely comes from the naturally occurring nitrates in beetroot, which are converted into nitric oxide in your body. Nitric oxide, in turn, helps to relax and dilate your blood vessels, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure. Another study found drinking 8 ounces of beetroot juice per day lowered blood pressure by an average of nearly eight points after the first week, which is more than most blood pressure medications. |
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Boost Your Stamina If you need a boost to make it through your next workout, beetroot juice may again prove valuable. Those who drank beetroot juice prior to exercise were able to exercise for up to 16% longer. The benefit is thought to also be related to nitrates turning into nitric oxide, which may reduce the oxygen cost of low-intensity exercise as well as enhance tolerance to high-intensity exercise. |
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Fight Inflammation Beetroot are a unique source of betaine, a nutrient that helps protects cells, proteins and enzymes from environmental stress. It’s also known to help fight inflammation, protect internal organs, improve vascular risk factors, enhance performance and likely help prevent numerous chronic diseases. As reported by The World’s Healthiest Foods:“[Betaine’s] … presence in our diet has been associated with lower levels of several inflammatory markers, including C reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumour necrosis factor alpha. As a group, the anti-inflammatory molecules found in beetroot may eventually be shown to provide cardiovascular benefits in large-scale human studies, as well as anti-inflammatory benefits for other body systems.” |
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Stave Off Cancer The powerful phytonutrients that give beetroot their deep crimson colour may help to ward off cancer. Research has shown that beetroot extract reduced multi-organ tumour formations in various animal models when administered in drinking water, for instance, while beetroot extract is also being studied for use in treating human pancreatic, breast and prostate cancers. |
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Provide Valuable Nutrients and Fibre Beetroot are high in immune-boosting vitamin C, fibre and essential minerals like potassium (essential for healthy nerve and muscle function) and manganese (which is good for your bones, liver, kidneys, and pancreas). Beetroot also contain the B vitamin folate, which helps reduce the risk of birth defects. |
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Support Detoxification The betalin pigments in beetroot support your body’s Phase 2 detoxification process, which is when broken down toxins are bound to other molecules so they can be excreted from your body. Traditionally, beetroot are valued for their support in detoxification and helping to purify your blood and your liver. |
Nitrates in Foods
Almost 80% of dietary nitrates come from vegetables. Beetroot are one of the richest sources, containing more than 250 milligrams of nitrates per 100 grams. Other foods with high nitrate content include arugula, celery, cress, chervil, celeriac, Chinese cabbage, fennel, endive, kohlrabi, mustard greens, leeks and parsley.
Keep in mind that naturally occurring nitrates are different from the nitrates found in processed foods, such as bacon or sausages. The nitrates that you get from vegetables are converted to nitric oxide (NO) in your body.
NO has potent health benefits, as described in “Why You Need to Try the Nitric Oxide Dump Workout.” However, when nitrates and nitrites from processed meats react with the gastric acid in your stomach, it forms nitrosamines which are harmful compounds that have been linked to several different types of cancer.
The reason meat-based nitrites don’t boost NO production but rather turn into harmful N-nitroso compounds has to do with the presence of proteins and heme (an iron-containing compound that makes up part of the haemoglobin molecule in blood) and the absence of antioxidant compounds.
On the other hand, plants contain antioxidants such as vitamin C and polyphenols that impede the formation of harmful nitrosamines. The presence of these compounds helps ensure that the nitrites are converted into NO once they reach your stomach rather than harmful N-nitroso compounds.
Unlike processed meats like bacon, most plant foods are also not cooked or fried at high temperatures, which further minimises the chances that harmful substances will be produced.
How to Eat Beetroot
If you’re new to beetroot, there are plenty of ways you can enjoy them:
- Grate them raw over salads
- Juice them, along with other fruits and vegetables
- Lightly steam them
- Marinate them with lemon juice, herbs and olive oil
Although beetroot have the highest sugar content of all vegetables, most people can safely eat beetroot a few times a week. Beetroot juice, however, should be consumed in moderation.
Make sure you also eat the beetroot greens, which are loaded with valuable nutrients, including phosphorus, zinc, fibre, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese, calcium and iron.
*For more information and references, please visit the below website.
www.mercola.com
