Can beetroot juice increase athletic performance?

Beetroot juice has been a hot topic recently in the latest way to boost performance by that extra 1%. Is it the latest gimmick or does it actually work.

First of all there is no doubt that beetroots are good for your body long with all other vegetables. Beets contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. They are known as a super food performing all wonders across the body from lowering blood pressure to protecting you from cancer to improving indigestion. But does it improve athletic performance anymore to other vegetables?

Well... Beets contain a large amount of inorganic nitrates. This mineral is made naturally within our bodies but we can dramatically increase its availability by eating nitrate rich food. Among other roles it acts as a vasodilator in functioning skeletal muscle, increasing the size of blood vessels to allow more oxygen flow.

Pretty impressive! Some research projects indicate that beetroot juice makes a 15% improvement in athletic performance. This is hard believe but could show us how powerful this food is. On the other hand I found a study that tested more experienced 4:15 milers and they noticed no difference.

Overall I don't believe that just drinking beetroot juice will give you much improvement on it's own (maybe in beginners), but rather eating more vegetables as a whole will make you much more healthier and therefore perform better. There is no quick fixes in life or running and the main way you should focus on improving is by getting out there and run!