Evidence supporting the use of: Nitrate
For the health condition: Athletic and Exercise Aids
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4
Nitrate supplementation, typically in the form of beetroot juice or sodium nitrate, has gained significant attention as an ergogenic (performance-enhancing) aid in athletic and exercise contexts. The scientific basis for its use centers on the body's ability to convert dietary nitrates into nitric oxide, a molecule that can promote vasodilation (widening of blood vessels), improve mitochondrial efficiency, and reduce the oxygen cost of exercise. Numerous randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have demonstrated that nitrate supplementation can enhance exercise performance, particularly in endurance sports and activities involving submaximal aerobic effort. Commonly reported benefits include improved time-to-exhaustion, enhanced high-intensity exercise tolerance, and reduced perceived exertion. The strongest evidence exists for recreationally active individuals and moderately trained athletes, with somewhat mixed results in highly trained elite athletes—likely due to their already optimal nitric oxide pathways. The performance improvements are generally modest but meaningful, often in the range of 1-3% for endurance events. The effects are most pronounced when nitrate is consumed 2-3 hours prior to exercise. Notably, the scientific community recognizes nitrate supplementation as one of the few dietary interventions with consistent, reproducible benefits for exercise performance. Major sports nutrition organizations, such as the International Olympic Committee, acknowledge its efficacy when used appropriately. However, individual responses can vary, and more research is needed to clarify optimal dosing and long-term safety.
Other ingredients used for Athletic and Exercise Aids
7-Keto-DHEAacetyl l-carnitine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
alpha d-ribofuranose
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
bacillus subtilis
beet
beta-alanine
black tea
bovine
branched-chain amino acids
caffeine
capsaicinoids
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
curcumin
eleuthero
ginseng
green tea
guarana
guayusa
l-isoleucine
l-alanine
l-alanyl-l-glutamine
l-arginine
l-carnitine
l-citrulline
l-glutamine
l-glycine
l-leucine
l-ornithine
l-taurine
l-tyrosine
l-valine
maca
magnesium
maltodextrin
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
peppermint oil
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
rhodiola
black ginger
spirulina
tongkat ali
tribulus
vitamin C
watermelon
whey protein
suma
jiaogulan
capsicum
bee pollen
cistanche
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
yerba mate
algae
cocoa
brown rice protein
sea salt
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
2, 17a-dimethyl-17b-hydroxy-5a-androst-2-ene
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate
Antler
Arginine Creatine
Arginine nitrate
Arachidonic Acid
Arginine malate
Arginine aspartate
Alpha glyceryl
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
Agmatine
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algal protein
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
Arginine silicate
Bicarbonate
Beef Protein
Bovine Protein
Bulbine natalensis
Ba Ji Tian
BCAA
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Casein
Cardarine
Capsinoids
Citrate malate
Capsiate
Creatine
D-Aspartic Acid
Dihydrocapsiate
Deer Velvet
D-Ribose
Ephedra
Elk antler
Ecdysteroids
Elthyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Ecdysterone
Ephedrine
glucose
Isoleucine
Ketone Salts
Milk Protein
Quinoa Protein
salt
yohimbine