Alright, it’s true, beet juice is the latest buzz among endurance athletes. But is it just another nutrition fad, or is there some legitimate basis for using beet juice to enhance aerobic performance?
I am not an expert on this by any means, but here are some great resources on beet juice from experts in that arena.
Video Resources from NutritionFacts.org:
I have been experimenting with using beet juice in my training, but based on the studies I have read my dosage has been way too low. I was simply adding 1 tsp of freeze-dried beetroot powder to a sports drink, but according to most studies they recommend 500ml which is roughly 4-6 scoops in 8-12 oz. water.
Sounds like a lot, well it is! And honestly I was scared to throw down straight beet juice at that concentrated level. But you know what, it actually tastes pretty good.
Here is a good site with a couple simple recipes for beet juice and they also have a smoothie recipe. I haven’t tried the smoothie recipe, but the juice is good.
As far as getting freeze dried beetroot powder, I have been going to Good Earth, but I imagine Whole Foods or other such stores would have it as well. I am going to look into ordering bulk beetroot powder online, when I find a good source I’ll let you know.
Additional Reading Material:
- WebMD: The Truth About Beetroot Juice
- Clinical Study: The Acute Effect of Beetroot Juice in Normal and Hypertensive Subjects
- Acute Nitrate Supplementation in Cyclists
