Beetroot is known by many people to be a superfood, being rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as containing antioxidants and fibre. 

Benefits Of Beetroot

It has many benefits ranging from managing blood pressure and keeping you fuller for longer thanks to its high fibre contents.

As well, beetroot has anti-inflammatory properties as well as anti-cancer priorities thanks to its high contents of antioxidants.

And is a common ingredient these days too – We can find beetroot in a myriad of dishes in many restaurants and cafes, ranging from kebabs, pizzas and salad, to smoothies and acai bowls.

A 2017 Study 

Now, a 2017 study published in the Journal of Nutrients, has found beetroot to help with endurance and athletic performance too.

The above study was conducted with various groups of healthy athletes involved in different sports and found that those involved in aerobic and high intensity exercise like running, cycling, swimming and triathlons, benefitted the most from an intake of beetroot. 

High In Nitrates 

Because beetroot is naturally high in nitrates, when we drink this superfood in the form of juice, the researchers found that it increases the body’s level of nitric oxide, helping with increasing gas exchange and blood flow through the body.

As well, nitric oxide also facilities the supply of oxygen to our muscles more efficiently.

All of this means that taking beetroot juice supplies the muscles with fresh oxygen and blood supplies during your workouts, resulting in an increased level of endurance and performance.

Take Beetroot Juice 90 Minutes Before You Work Out

However there is a certain intake that is considered to be optimum; taking a glass of beetroot juice approximately 90 minutes before you work out – as this amount of time will give enough time to release the nitrate levels into your system.

So by slowly adding beetroot juice to your daily diet, may help to improve your results and help you to perform better. For example, try a glass of beetroot juice the night before your next training run and see how that makes you feel.

Do note though that if you have never taken beetroot before, though, don’t suddenly try it the night before a big race and expect to see results. 

After all, the old rule to never try anything new before a race still applies.

Do Not Overdo It

But also be careful not to overdo it on the beetroot because taking too much may cause you digestive and gastrointestinal problems.

That aside, though, what’s the harm in giving some beetroot juice a try, if you are looking for a new way to say, shave off those last few minutes from your marathon timing… to perhaps make it to the Boston Marathon?