Question 1

Are Beet It products suitable for athletes?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our products are specifically formulated to help athletes improve endurance and performance. The natural nitrates in beetroot can help increase blood flow and oxygen delivery to muscles, which can be beneficial during high-intensity workouts and endurance activities. In addition, all our products are tested by Informed Sport for banned substances.

Question 2

Is Beet It effective for all level athletes?

Accepted Answer

Summary: Beet It is effective for recreational level athletes and elite level athletes may require a larger dose of dietary nitrate.
The majority of research demonstrating the beneficial effects of dietary nitrate supplementation has been conducted using sub-elite, recreationally active participants, which covers most of the general population. However, a small number of studies reported the same nitrate dosing does not benefit elite athletes, possibly due to their habitual diet already nitrate-rich, or their nitric oxide production is already increased. It is possible that elite athletes require an increased duration or amount of nitrate compared to the sub-elite athletes. We know of numerous elite athletes who supplement dietary nitrate, including Eliud Kipchoge in preparation for his valiant Breaking 2hr marathon attempt.

Question 3

Can young athletes (6 – 17 years old) consume Beet It Sport?

Accepted Answer

Beet It is perfectly safe for young athletes to consume. Beet It products are a 100% natural, concentrated vegetable juice and should be viewed like any other fruit and vegetable juice in that respect. In the UK, young athletes often mix our beetroot juice with orange juice, as they are usually not too keen on the intense taste.

Question 4

Can I use Beet It products if I’m not an athlete?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Beet It products can be enjoyed by anyone looking to boost their daily intake of natural nitrates and support their cardiovascular health. Our Beet It Organic shot is designed specifically for lifestyle consumption. Whether you’re looking for an energy boost, better stamina, or overall wellness, our products can be a great addition to your daily routine.

Question 5

Are your products vegan-friendly?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all Beet-It products are 100% plant-based and suitable for vegans. We do not use any animal-derived ingredients in our products.

Question 6

Do Beet It products contain added sugars or artificial ingredients?

Accepted Answer

No, our products do not contain added sugars or artificial ingredients. We strive to keep our products as natural as possible, ensuring you receive the pure benefits of beetroot.

Question 7

What are the benefits of beetroot products?

Accepted Answer

Beetroot is known for its high dietary nitrate content, which can help improve blood flow, increase stamina, and support cardiovascular health. Our products contain concentrated beetroot juice, which concentrates and regulates the nitrate content, bringing the levels of nitrate to an optimal level for athletic performance.  This provides for a natural and convenient way to boost your daily nutrition and
performance.

Question 8

When were the beneficial effects of beetroot juice/nitrates discovered?

Accepted Answer

Summary: The beneficial effects of beetroot juice on exercise performance were discovered in 2009.
The first human study to investigate the exercise benefits of dietary nitrate from beetroot juice supplementation, was published in 2009 by Bailey and colleagues at The University of Exeter. 8 healthy volunteers received either 3 days of 500ml (~350-400mg nitrate) of beetroot juice or 500ml of blackcurrant cordial (placebo). In summary, authors reported a ~5% reduction in oxygen cost of cycling exercise and a 16% improvement in time to exhaustion, in the beetroot juice group compared to placebo group.

Question 9

What is dietary nitrate?

Accepted Answer

Dietary nitrate is a molecule found naturally in the diet in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, rocket and beetroot.

Question 10

How is dietary nitrate converted into nitric oxide in the body?

Accepted Answer

Dietary nitrate is first converted to nitrite by bacteria on the tongue. This nitrite is then swallowed and converted to nitric oxide in the stomach. The process involves nitrate being absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract, concentrated by the salivary glands, and then reduced to nitrite by bacteria in the mouth. The nitrite is then converted to nitric oxide in the acidic environment of the stomach.

Question 11

How long do the effects of dietary nitrate last for?

Accepted Answer

Summary: The effects peak 1-3 hrs after consuming and last for around 6 hrs, before returning to baseline after 12-24hrs.
Blood plasma nitrate and nitrite have been shown to peak 1-3hrs post ingestion of Beet It Sport, remain elevated for ~6hrs and gradually return to baseline at 12-24hrs post ingestion. Thus athletes exercising for 4-6hrs+, may gain a benefit from “topping up” plasma nitrate and nitrite during exercise. This can be achieved via our Beet It Sport Beetroot Flapjacks, which offer a “top up” of 200mg nitrate and a slow-release 24g of carbohydrate.

Question 12

What is the best way to consume Beet It Sport shots?

Accepted Answer

For optimal results, consume Beet It Sport shots 1-3 hours before physical activity to allow your body to absorb the natural nitrates. Shake well, open, and drink. Follow the recommended usage instructions on the packaging. Research indicates that consuming at least 400mg of dietary nitrate per day can enhance exercise performance, which is provided by one Beet It Sport shot or one 33ml serving of Beet It Sport Nitrate 3000.

Question 13

Will I get an increased benefit by consuming more nitrate than the dosing guideline?

Accepted Answer

Summary – The body reaches a ‘saturation point’ after two Beet It Sport shots, therefore there is no need to consume any more.
Not likely. Wylie et al. (2013) investigated the influence of ~250mg, ~520mg and ~1,050mg of ingested nitrate in beetroot juice (Beet It Organic Shots) and also the ‘dose-response’ relationship between acute nitrate ingestion and exercise performance. An amount of ~250mg of nitrate did not significantly improve exercise performance in the study by Wylie et al. (2013). In contrast, ~520mg and ~1,050mg nitrate doses both resulted in improved exercise performance, but ~1,050mg was no more effective than ~520mg of nitrate. These results indicate that there may be a ‘threshold’ amount of nitrate required to be ingested for exercise performance benefits to be obtained. In addition, that extra nitrate (~1,050mg) ingestion will not further improve exercise performance.

Question 14

What can I expect to feel after taking Beet It?

Accepted Answer

Summary: Beet It is not a stimulant, you may ‘feel’ it during exercise when you usually fatigue.
Beet It products are not stimulants like caffeine, so do not expect euphoric effects after consuming. Beet It Sport has been shown to increase time to task failure and improve the oxygen cost of exercise, resulting in improved performance times. So you are most likely to ‘feel’ a benefit during exercise, particularly when you are accustomed to becoming fatigued.

Question 15

Are there any side effects of consuming Beet It products?

Accepted Answer

Summary: Only beeturia (pink wee and stools) – its vegetable juice!
Beet It Sport shots have been scientifically tested on thousands of athletes and it appears beeturia (pink pee) is the only side effect reported. Given the natural ingredients are simply concentrated beetroot juice (98%) and lemon juice (2%); made from concentrates, it is not surprising that we have seen no side effects from consuming our recommended dosing in the scientific research. Like with all nutritional supplements, it is important to trial them in training before competition, as people respond in different ways to different supplements.

Question 16

Can I take Beet It Sport with prescribed medication?

Accepted Answer

Summary: There should be no problem, however consult your doctor or GP if in doubt of interaction effects of Beet It and medication.
As with any prescribed medication it is always important to check with your doctor before changing your diet. Because Beet It is a natural product, we suggest you treat is as any other vegetable juice – drinking in moderation, however we would always advise contacting your doctor if you are worried in any way.

Question 17

Can I drink Beet It as well as consuming alcohol?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Beet It Vodka Martini, anyone?

Question 18

How much dietary nitrate is in Beet It Sport products?

Accepted Answer

Beet It Sport Nitrate 400 shots contain 400mg of dietary nitrate, Beet It Sport Nitrate 400 crystals also contain 400mg, and Beet It Sport Nitrate 3000 contains 3000mg of dietary nitrate.

Question 19

How should I store my Beet It products?

Accepted Answer

Our beetroot shots and juices should be stored in a cool, dry place. Once opened, refrigerate and consume within the time specified on the packaging. For our crystals, these need to be consumed immediately as the crystals react with moisture in the air and may start to solidify.

Question 20

What are the physiological mechanisms behind the performance gains?

Accepted Answer

Summary: There are multiple mechanisms involved, but it is likely caused by increased blood flow and oxygen, changes to mitochondria and changes to muscle contractility.
The exact mechanisms are yet to be full clarified by scientific research. Nitrate’s end product, nitric oxide, has multiple roles in physiology, so it is possible there are several explanations for the beneficial effects of nitrate supplementation. For benefits to endurance performance, it is likely caused by the vasodilatory effects of nitric oxide, which allows greater blood flow and oxygen to the working muscles and simultaneously, the mitochondria that produce energy in the muscles may become more efficient. However, for high-power/sprint sports, the mechanisms of action are likely due to beneficial changes to muscle contractility.

Question 21

Why is Beet It considered the gold standard by research teams and sporting professionals?

Accepted Answer

Beet It Sport shots are considered the gold standard because they consistently contain 400mg of dietary nitrate, providing reliable results for research and athletic performance. Many research papers on nitrate supplementation have used Beet It products due to their controlled nitrate content. Additionally, Beet It offers a nitrate-depleted version for placebo use in double-blind trials. The product has been used in over 100 research projects worldwide, conducted by leading universities and sports research bodies.

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