Consumption of Nitrate-Rich Beetroot Juice with or without Vitamin C Supplementation Increases the Excretion of Urinary Nitrate, Nitrite, and N-nitroso Compounds in Humans

Julia E. Berends, Lauri M. M. van den Berg, Martina A. Guggeis, Nikki F. T. Henckens, Israt J. Hossein, Minke E. J. R. de Joode, Hossy Zamani, Kirsten A. A. J. van Pelt, Nicky A. Beelen, Gunter G. Kuhnle, Theo M. C. M. de Kok, Simone G. J. Van Breda*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Consumption of nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BRJ) by athletes induces a number of beneficial physiological health effects, which are linked to the formation of nitric oxide (NO) from nitrate. However, following a secondary pathway, NO may also lead to the formation of N-nitroso compounds (NOCs), which are known to be carcinogenic in 39 animal species. The extent of the formation of NOCs is modulated by various other dietary factors, such as vitamin C. The present study investigates the endogenous formation of NOCs after BRJ intake and the impact of vitamin C on urinary NOC excretion. In a randomized, controlled trial, 29 healthy recreationally active volunteers ingested BRJ with or without additional vitamin C supplements for one week. A significant increase of urinary apparent total N-nitroso Compounds (ATNC) was found after one dose (5 to 47 nmol/mmol: p <0.0001) and a further increase was found after seven consecutive doses of BRJ (104 nmol/mmol: p <0.0001). Vitamin C supplementation inhibited ATNC increase after one dose (16 compared to 72 nmol/mmol, p <0.01), but not after seven daily doses. This is the first study that shows that BRJ supplementation leads to an increase in formation of potentially carcinogenic NOCs. In order to protect athlete's health, it is therefore important to be cautious with chronic use of BRJ to enhance sports performances.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2277
Number of pages15
JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume20
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2019

Keywords

  • Beetroot juice
  • human dietary intervention
  • nitrate
  • nitrite
  • N-nitroso compounds
  • vitamin C
  • DIETARY NITRATE
  • ENDOGENOUS FORMATION
  • GASTRIC-CANCER
  • ASCORBIC-ACID
  • RISK
  • STOMACH
  • NITROSAMINES
  • PERFORMANCE
  • EXERCISE
  • SALIVARY

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Consumption of Nitrate-Rich Beetroot Juice with or without Vitamin C Supplementation Increases the Excretion of Urinary Nitrate, Nitrite, and N-nitroso Compounds in Humans'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this