Consumption of foods rich in nitrates, such as red beets, before sports improves performance and increases endurance, scientists from the University of St. Louis in the United States.
For their study, 11 healthy men and women ran five kilometers twice on a treadmill. An hour before the first workout, the volunteers ate a portion of roasted beets, and before the second, ate an equivalent amount of cranberries. The fruit contains almost the same number of calories as beets, but has a lower level of nitrates.
The results show that after consuming blueberries, "runners" maintain an average speed of 11.9 kilometers per hour. But, after consuming beets, their average speed increases to 12.3 kilometers per hour. They are able to maintain it for a long time.
And in the last nearly 2 km the speed of beet consumers is 5% higher, the results show.
According to researchers, the beneficial effect of beet consumption is due to the content of nitrates.
Nitrates are believed to help dilate blood vessels and improve blood circulation.
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The results are published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics .
Another study, from the University of Exeter, England, shows that beet juice also helps increase endurance during physical activity.
The drink is useful for athletes because it gives them strength and energy to achieve better results in competitive games. To have an effect, it is necessary to drink at least 2 glasses of juice a day, experts recommend.