Beetroot juice may boost aging brain blood flow
NCT ID NCT03617302
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This small, early study tested whether drinking beetroot juice (which is rich in natural nitrates) could improve artery stiffness and brain blood vessel function in adults aged 50 to 79. Sixteen participants were randomly given either nitrate-rich or nitrate-depleted beetroot juice. The goal was to see if this simple dietary supplement could help slow age-related changes in blood vessels and thinking.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- inorganic nitrate (from beetroot juice)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple dietary supplement to support blood vessel health and thinking as we age.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-phase study with only 16 people. Results may not apply to everyone, and the effect may be too small to matter in daily life.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
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