Beetroot supplement review: mixed blood pressure and function findings in older adults
A systematic review of beetroot extract supplementation found consistent rises in nitrate and nitrite, but blood pressure results were mixed and functional gains came from few small, heterogeneous trials; most trials were not in older adults. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The review covered beetroot extract effects on nitric oxide availability, blood pressure and functional outcomes, searching three databases up to April 2025. [1]
Nitrate and nitrite concentrations consistently increased, while blood pressure findings were heterogeneous, with some acute systolic reductions up to 8 mmHg and others showing no significant change. [1]
Functional measures improved in several studies, but the evidence comes from few small, heterogeneous trials, mostly in younger or mixed-age cohorts. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Systematic review (abstract)
- Population / context
- Older adults (aged 65 and over) are the stated focus, but most reviewed trials were in younger or mixed-age cohorts.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- October 1, 2026
Review question: beetroot extract and age-related decline
The review asked whether beetroot extract, rich in inorganic nitrate, nitrite, betalains and polyphenols, affects nitric oxide availability, blood pressure and functional outcomes. It searched PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus up to April 2025. The authors frame the extract as a proposed way to mitigate age-related physiological decline, not as an established strategy.
Supporting source [1]
Nitrate rose; blood pressure and function results mixed
Nitrate and nitrite concentrations consistently increased, supporting activation of nitric oxide pathways. Blood pressure evidence was heterogeneous: some studies reported acute systolic reductions up to 8 mmHg, others no significant change after short-term interventions. Knee extension velocity, maximal power and post-exercise recovery improved in several studies, even after single doses. These are associations from small trials, not proof of lasting cardiovascular benefit.
Supporting source [1]
Limits: few small trials, mostly younger cohorts
The authors stress that findings rest on a limited number of small, methodologically heterogeneous trials, which restricts comparability and statistical power. Designs, intervention durations, dosing protocols and participant characteristics varied. Most trials were in younger or mixed-age cohorts, with limited evidence in older adults. The evidence is preliminary and hypothesis-generating, so robust cardiovascular benefits cannot be firmly established.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The review itself reports few small, heterogeneous trials, varied designs and dosing, and limited data in older adults.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Álvarez-Rodríguez P, Chenhuichen C, Izco-Cubero M, Zambom-Ferraresi F, Fernández-González de la Riva M, Echeverría-Beistegui I, Zambom-Ferraresi F, Martínez-Velilla N. · europepmc.org · October 1, 2026