Chronic effects of nitrate supplementation with a newly designed beetroot formulation on biochemical and hemodynamic parameters of individuals presenting risk factors for cardiovascular diseases: A pilot study

Dietary nitrate has been associated with nitric oxide bioconversion and beneficial vascular effects. A randomized, controlled, crossover and placebo 3-week supplementation trial with a beetroot-cereal bar enriched in nitrate (9.5 +/- 0.05 mmol) and polyphenols was performed on patients displaying three risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases. The beetroot-cereal bar formulation was elected because it showed the highest nitrate, phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity than beetroot chips and juice. Plasmatic nitrate and nitrite were increased approximate to 15 and approximate to 7 fold, respectively, endothelial function was improved, arterial stiffness was reduced and arterial blood pressures, both systolic and diastolic, were reduced by approximate to -14.0 mm Hg and approximate to - 6.5 mm Hg, respectively. The nitrate and phenolic compound bioacessibility from the beetroot-cereal bar were 85% and 68% after intestinal uptake of simulated gastrointestinal digestion, respectively. Beetroot-cereal bar may be an effective strategy to improve cardiovascular parameters in patients presenting risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases.