The dose–response effects of nitrate-rich beetroot ingestion on cardiovascular and endothelial function: a randomised controlled trial

Journal article

Dietary nitrate (NO3−) supplementation has been reported to improve cardiovascular health, but beyond its effects on brachial artery blood pressure (BP), dose–response effects on other cardiovascular variables are unclear. This study assessed the effects of three acute NO3− doses (200 mg, 400 mg, 800 mg NO3--rich beetroot powder) on brachial and aortic BP, arterial stiffness and macrovascular endothelial function, in a double-blind, randomised, crossover design. Cardiovascular variables and venous blood samples were measured prior to (control) and 2.5 h post supplement ingestion. Dietary NO3− supplementation increased plasma [NO3−] and plasma [nitrite] but had no effect on cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) concentration. Arterial stiffness markers improved following all NO3− doses, with no between-dose differences. However, endothelial function only improved following 400 mg (+3.07% compared to control) and aortic systolic BP only improved following 800 mg (−4 mmHg compared to control) dietary NO3− supplementation. Acute NO3− ingestion improved some cardiovascular risk factors, including arterial stiffness, macrovascular endothelial function and aortic systolic BP with different dose–response effects, but had no effect on brachial BP or plasma [cGMP]. These findings improve our understanding of NO3− supplementation and cardiovascular function in healthy adults.

Authors: McLellan, AG; Acton, JP; O'Donnell, E; Rowland, SN; Shepherd, AI

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• Journal: Food & Function
• Publication date: 2026-02-13
• Acceptance date: 2026-02-08
• DOI: 10.1039/d5fo05298j
• EISSN: 2042-650X
• ISSN: 2042-6496
• Language: English
• Keywords: Brachial artery; Randomized controlled trial; Blood pressure; Ingestion; Endothelium; Arterial stiffness; Endothelial dysfunction