Hi,

Matt Dixon seems to think so:

https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/...w2-2zpr7-g2jf7-w2fnc

Pat

I use it for a few days before races. Seems to work, no crazy side effects. Also, a person who is researching different beet products recommended this one specifically as actually having whatnot says it has. It was off the record as the research isn’t complete, but I trust them.

---

Aaron Bales
Lansing Triathlon Team

I tried it a couple of times and didn't really notice any difference. I took a shot a day in the morning for a week leading up to race.

However, I took it in the run up to last years London Marathon - on the way to the start I had to get off the tube and find a toilet in a bit of a hurry.

Haven't used it since and I wouldn't have said I felt any difference in not using it. A repeat of how I felt whilst in a wetsuit doesn't bear thinking about!

it really helped me run faster......to the toilet.

I "load" with beet juice the week prior to my A race. I will drink 400 ml every day, starting 6 or 7 days from the race. On race morning I will take one of those shots 20 or so minutes before the start. Does it help? I don't know, but there are plenty of studies that suggest a slight benefit. It's cheap, and I like the psychological effect of having something "extra" on race day.

---

@floathammerholdon | @partners_in_tri

In my experience, beet juice does seem to work. But not a one shot and done. For me, that is a recipe for a race to the toilet. It takes my system a few days to get used to the juice, and during that time recovery seems to be better. It is not a long term supplement for me, but only about a week at a time.

And I make my own juice....

db

If you're wondering whether it's valid, there is actually a fair amount of of research on beets (or dietary nitrates) for endurance.
It's one of the few (5) supplements accepted by the IOC as having good to strong evidence for performance enhancement. Even with the broad benefits seen, there are still people in every study who just don't respond at all to it. So, your mileage may vary.

If you're wondering the best way to use it, that is debatable. In general, with an otherwise balanced diet, you don't need to use a beet supplement regularly and will benefit more from training without it. Race week is when it comes into play, giving you a little boost. Some people just use it race morning, others dose a few days leading up to and including race day.

---

http://www.extramilenutrition.com

I have used it in two different situations.
Concentrated Beet juice before a race has plenty of studies to show it works.
So for A races I take in for a few days before competition.
I just used it in a competition I usually don't treat as an A race.
Had 2 PB's and actually ran (for a change) a whole 10k.

The second situation was at altitude, I had Beet root concentrate pills with me on a trek.
After a night without sleep at 18,000 ft, the nitrates in the beetroot smoothed everything out for the next nights rest.
(apparently taking Viagra is a recognized emergency treatment at high altitude, so same difference).

But at 20 quid a go, for this stuff, they're pushing it a bit.
Beets are cheap, hype is always expensive.

Whiel not 18k, every time I go to Breckenridge or Leadville I have the hardest time sleeping. I may use beet shots to help! hah.

---

@floathammerholdon | @partners_in_tri

Thanks all. This is very usefull! Think I will give it a go too.