Effects of Beetroot Powder with or Without L-Arginine on Postprandial Vascular Endothelial Function: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial with Abdominally Obese Men

Overview

Journal Nutrients

Date 2020 Nov 19

PMID 33207606

Citations 1

Authors

Ellen T H C Smeets

Ronald P Mensink

Joris Hoeks

Johan De Vogel-Van Den Bosch

Robert J J Hageman

Peter J Joris

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Through effects on nitric oxide bioavailability, vascular endothelial function is improved after the intake of a high amount of nitrate or L-arginine, but decreased after the intake of a high-fat meal. Therefore, we compared the effects of beetroot powder with or without L-arginine on postprandial brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) after consumption of a high-fat mixed-meal.

Methods: Eighteen abdominally obese men completed this randomized, double-blinded, cross-over trial. The study consisted of five test days, each separated by a wash-out period of at least one week. Participants received in random order, a blended meal with a control or nutritional supplement consisting of beetroot powder providing 200 mg nitrate, beetroot with 0.8 g of L-arginine, beetroot with 1.5 g of L-arginine, or 3.0 g of L-arginine. Participants then fasted and 2 h postprandial FMD measurements were performed.

Results: No significant differences between meals were observed for postprandial FMD ( = 0.45) levels. However, there was a non-significant trend towards a more beneficial postprandial FMD response with the beetroot-containing meals as compared with meals without beetroot.

Conclusion: This trial could not provide evidence for beneficial additive effects of a single dose of beetroot powder combined with L-arginine on postprandial endothelial function in abdominally obese men.

Citing Articles

A single, high-fat meal adversely affects postprandial endothelial function: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Fewkes J, Kellow N, Cowan S, Williamson G, Dordevic A Am J Clin Nutr. 2022; 116(3):699-729.

PMID: 35665799 PMC: 9437993. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqac153.

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