Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Beetroot juice is trending, but what does the science say?

Beetroot shots have been credited for assisting Eliud Kipchoge’s marathon records, Jonas Vingegaard’s Tour de France wins and Leicester City’s English Premier League victory in 2016.

Beetroot is a natural source of nitrate. In the body, nitrate is converted to nitric oxide, an important signalling molecule that causes blood vessels to widen. This widening reduces blood pressure and allows more oxygen-rich blood to flow into working muscles.

Read Alice Klein's column: newscientist.com/article/2532642-beetroot-juice-is-trending-its-benefits-go-beyond-the-hype