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

Ellen T. H. C. Smeets, Ronald P. Mensink, Joris Hoeks, Johan de Vogel-Van den Bosch, Robert J. J. Hageman, Peter J. Joris*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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 (p = 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.

Original languageEnglish
Article number3520
Number of pages11
JournalNutrients
Volume12
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2020

Keywords

  • beetroot
  • L-arginine
  • dietary nitrate
  • nitric oxide
  • flow-mediated vasodilation
  • endothelial function
  • BLOOD-PRESSURE
  • NITRIC-OXIDE
  • DIETARY NITRATE
  • IMPROVES
  • SUPPLEMENTATION
  • DYSFUNCTION
  • PLASMA
  • JUICE

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