Can Beetroot Really Improve Athletic Performance?

Can Beetroot Really Improve Athletic Performance?
By Maridav/Shutterstock
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Beetroot is gaining popularity as a performance-enhancer for athletes and those wanting to gain a competitive advantage in running and cycling.
Some people juice beetroot, some eat it, others mix up a drink from the powdered form. But will it make a noticeable difference in how quickly we run a race or cycle up a hill?

Small Benefits for Some

A large systematic review in 2020 included 80 clinical trials, in which the included studies had participants randomly assigned to consume beetroot juice or not. It found consuming beetroot juice provided performance benefits for athletes.