Beetroot juice and muscle strength, power and endurance
What it found
In a small trial in active men, beetroot juice did not improve jump height, muscle strength or muscular endurance.
It did raise one measure of leg power at a slow movement speed.
What they found
Studies in people
Jump height
Countermovement jump height was not different between the beetroot juice and placebo treatments.
Muscular endurance
Total workload during 30 repeated isokinetic contractions was not different between treatments.
Isometric strength
Voluntary isometric strength at 30 and 60 degree angles did not differ between treatments.
Isokinetic power
Knee extension power did not differ at any of the four movement speeds tested. Knee flexion power was higher after beetroot juice at the slowest speed only, not at the other three speeds.
Blood nitrate levels
Plasma nitrate and nitrite were higher before exercise testing after beetroot juice than after the nitrate-depleted drink.
What the authors conclude
“Nitrate supplementation does not improve maximal strength, countermovement jump performance and muscular endurance in healthy, active males.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that nitrate supplementation does not improve maximal strength, countermovement jump performance and muscular endurance in healthy, active males.
How it was done
Dietary nitrate has been linked to better muscle function and sprint performance, but its effect on maximal strength and muscular endurance was not yet established.
Fifteen recreationally active men took nitrate-rich beetroot juice or a nitrate-depleted version for 6 days each, in a randomised double-blinded cross-over study. Three hours after the last drink, the researchers measured jump performance, leg strength and power, and muscular endurance.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- The study was small and only in healthy, active young men, so the results may not apply to other groups.
- It tested a 6-day supplementation period, so it cannot show what longer-term use might do.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- HAN University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands; Ghent University, Belgium; Maastricht University Medical Centre, Netherlands
The paper
- Title
- The impact of beetroot juice supplementation on muscular endurance, maximal strength and countermovement jump performance
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Jonvik KL, Hoogervorst D, Peelen HB, et al (2021). The impact of beetroot juice supplementation on muscular endurance, maximal strength and countermovement jump performance. European journal of sport science. doi:10.1080/17461391.2020.1788649PubMed 32594854DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error