Nitrates: how to achieve maximum blood flow without stimulation?

Beetroot is probably not one of your favourite vegetables, is it? But maybe after reading our article today, you'll find it a bit more appetizing and you'll run out and buy one for tomorrow's snack. As you'll learn, it can bring a whole host of benefits to your life, related to better blood circulation during your workout, among other things. Isn't that hard to believe? Then pay attention.

Article content:

• A breakthrough supplement in sports nutrition?
• Where can I find nitrates everywhere? And how do they work?
• Beetroot or capsules?
• Does this supplement have any negatives?
• When and how to dose nitrates before training?
• What can I take away from today's article?

A breakthrough supplement in sports nutrition?

Kickstarters are such an evergreen in sports nutrition, and manufacturers so often come up with new ingredients and formulas to put in their supplement. And one of them is nitrates. Chemically speaking, these are esters of nitric acid and along with other structurally similar substances, they fall into a group called nitrovasodilators. Those of you who have been around nutrition for a while will have taken notice, as the name is familiar to them. These are substances that cause blood vessels to dilate, which is extremely desirable under certain conditions. While "conventional" medicine uses them to treat heart attacks, for example, we athletes can use them to improve blood flow and nutrient delivery to muscles. Wondering what the scientific studies have to say about this? For example, these 3 findings are worth mentioning:

• Beetroot and its nitrates have been shown to lower blood pressure
• Nitrates improve tolerance to high intensity training , according to experts
• Reduces oxygen consumption during walking or running compared to placebo

Beetroot may not be very attractive in taste, but it has several positive effects.

Where can I find nitrates everywhere? And how do they work?

The initial mention of beets was not just a coincidence. Root vegetables, led by beetroot, are a major source of nitrates. In addition to nitrates, however, you can also find beta-carotene, B vitamins, potassium, iron, magnesium, betaine with antioxidant properties, selenium and many other substances in these vegetables. And how do nitrates actually work? Despite the subtle differences, we can say that they are similar to the well-known arginine. When consumed, they are gradually metabolized down to nitric oxide, which is then directly responsible for proper pumping and better nutrient delivery to the muscles.

Beetroot or capsules?

Like any other substance, nitrates can be taken directly from food. In case you choose to do so, beetroot seems to be the best, as it has a very good content of not only nitrates, but also of the other substances mentioned above. The problem is that to get a solid effect, especially more advanced athletes would have to drink, say, half a litre of beetroot juice or eat a whole beetroot eyeball before training, and that's definitely not for everyone. So it may be most practical to use a supplement most of the time and only get the juice occasionally. A very reliable and high-quality supplement in this respect is Nitro Virus, which is produced by the proven Brno company Czech Virus. Very good is their standardization to 10% nitrate content, which means that for the vast majority of athletes 4 capsules before training will be enough to feel a great pump that will last the whole training.

You can eat beetroot, drink the juice or take it in capsules. It's up to you.

Does this supplement have any negatives?

But the issue of nitrates (also known in our area as either nitrites or nitrates - both are structurally similar and are based on nitrogen) is definitely not black and white - they are substances found in meat products, for example, and have earned them a rather bad reputation. Nitrates have become demonized in many popular TV shows and online magazines. However, it is necessary to discuss the whole issue in a little more detail. Nitrates and nitrites, as well as the final nitrous oxide, are completely natural and even necessary substances for our bodies. The problem associated with the content of these raw materials in meat products lies primarily in their heat treatment.

When nitrites and nitrates are heated to a high temperature, so-called nitrosamines are formed, and this group of substances includes proven carcinogens. The second difference between sausages and vegetables is the much higher protein content. As you might guess, protein is made up of amino acids, and it is the amino acids that, when exposed to high temperatures, create the ideal environment for the conversion of nitrates or nitrites to nitrosamines. Not to mention that vegetables are in most cases not exposed to such high temperatures during processing as, for example, smoked meat.

However, this is all the more reason to take care when choosing a suitable supplement that it is a supplement obtained from natural sources, without any chemical intervention using high temperatures or other undesirable raw materials. In the case of vegetables, of course, there is nothing to worry about and no need to restrict vegetables in any way - on the contrary, vegetables have a huge number of benefits and beneficial substances, including nitrites and nitrates.

When and how to dose nitrates before training?

It is good to take nitrates about half an hour before physical activity, and it is okay to combine them with another type of pre-workout supplement. If you work out in the evening, it is definitely a good idea to skip all stimulants, including caffeine, and it is quite possible to take nitrates alone or combine them with a pre-workout supplement that improves blood circulation without unnecessary stimulation.

What to take away from today's article?

The main thing you should take away from today's article is that nitrates are a great supplement that can take your training to a whole new level. And while there is some controversy surrounding nitrites and nitrates, you definitely have nothing to worry about when consuming vegetables and, by extension, sports supplements made from vegetables. On the contrary, scientific studies have shown a pressure-reducing effect as well as a host of other benefits. So whether you're going to drink the juice of a red mullet or take tablets, we can certainly only recommend it. You'll see that even without any other pre-workout supplement, you'll notice improved blood flow and in the long run, better recovery.