Today’s wellness industry is worth a staggering $6.8 trillion (as of 2024) and is expected to soar to $9.8 trillion by 2029. And that’s really not a surprise, considering how our collective preferences for health products have shifted towards what we perceive as being ‘more natural.’
With this almost universal shift to ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ options comes a flood of health supplements. In recent years, beetroot gummies (under the umbrella of nitrate supplements) have taken the spot of the hottest new health trend.
Promising to improve blood flow, regulate blood pressure, improve athletic performance and endurance, and support cognitive function (among other things), beetroot gummies seem like a miracle, all-around supplement must-have. But is it all just fantasy fodder? Here’s the dirt on beetroot gummies.
Getting to the Root of Beetroots
Known to most of us as just ‘beets’, beetroots are the edible part of the beet plant. This deep red-purple root vegetable is low in calories and is known for being rich in dietary fiber, potassium, and vitamin C.
But aside from all of that, beetroots have been found to be one of the richest natural dietary sources of nitrates.
Once consumed, nitrates are converted in our saliva and then again in our gut to become nitric oxide. According to studies, this stuff has a direct and positive effect on:
● Blood vessels
● Blood flow
● Oxygen delivery, and
● Cardiovascular function
And who wouldn’t want to reap those rewards? So with nitric acid being one of the latest and greatest health industry buzzwords, it comes as no surprise that all things beetroot (gummies included) have soared to new heights of popularity and demand.
The problem is that not all beetroot products are made equal.
The Beetroot Gummy Dilemma
To be clear, the claims about beetroots and their potential benefits are heavily backed by a broad body of research. This low-calorie, nutrient-dense superfood has been proven by scientists to be an effective blood pressure regulator as well as a performance-enhancing dietary source for those with an active lifestyle and even athletes.
So the question isn’t really whether beetroot and nitrate supplements work, but rather whether beetroot gummies can provide what this superfood promises.
A quick review of published journals and studies will make one thing fairly obvious – most researchers use fresh beetroot, beetroot juice or concentrated beetroot juice shots for their methodology. The studies supporting the use of gummies in particular are few and far between, which may raise the question: are gummies just as effective as juice?
The answer lies in the amount of dietary nitrate that the gummies contain. According to experts, people need to take around 300-500mg of nitrate per day for their intake to have any relevant effect. Unfortunately, most gummies fall short of these numbers as far as their serving sizes suggest.
But that doesn’t mean that you should toss your beetroot gummy stash altogether. If taken alongside other sources of nitric acid, a beetroot gummy supplement may just teeter you over the edge into recommended intake guidelines.
On top of that, some studies suggest that if you’re taking beetroot supplements to help manage your blood pressure and other vascular functions, spreading your dosage throughout the day may help to achieve a more regular rhythm. In this case, it may be ideal to have a convenient method of use you can easily access through the day (like a gummy) instead of just one big intake in the form of juice or concentrate.
How to Choose Nitrate Supplements
The choices for beetroot gummy and nitrate supplements is overwhelming to say the least. There are endless products out there, all promising to be better than the next guy. As a consumer, it’s your job to filter through the picks so you can find a supplement that actually works for you.
● Nitrate content – Whenever possible, look for supplements that indicate their dietary nitrate content in milligrams and not just the weight of the beetroot in their product.
● Standardized extract – Not all beetroots grow in the same conditions, and these variables can change the consistency between batches. A product that uses a standardized extract provides the exact same dietary benefits for every dose across different batches.
● Added Benefits – Supplements like gummies can be formulated to contain more than just dietary nitrates, so you can get more out of every dose you take. Quality beetroot gummies such as brands like Nutravea combine dietary nitrate with Co-enzyme Q10, acai extract, and folate so you can maximize on benefits.
● Third-party Testing – As with any other health supplement, a certificate from a third-party lab should be one of the strongest safeguards against bunk. Check for certificates from third-party testers to make sure you’re buying supplements that match the stuff written on their labels.
Beetroot Supplements: The One to Beat
Offering a broad range of scientifically proven benefits that stretch from cardiovascular health to athletic performance, it’s clear that anyone might benefit from a high-quality beetroot supplement.
But watch out – the market is saturated with products that don’t really meet the high expectations that they set. See to it that you read the labels, check your options, and buy only from trusted brands so you can get the full benefits of this world-renowned superfood.
Image by Supliful – Supplements On Demand from Unsplash
The editorial staff of Medical News Bulletin had no role in the preparation of this post. The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the advertiser and do not reflect those of Medical News Bulletin. Medical News Bulletin does not accept liability for any loss or damages caused by the use of any products or services, nor do we endorse any products, services, or links in Sponsored Articles.
