Acute effects of a chewable beetroot-based supplement on cognitive performance: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled crossover clinical trial
PubMed 37875637 · doi:10.1007/s00394-023-03265-y
What was done
A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled two-period crossover clinical trial evaluated the acute cognitive effects of a chewable beetroot supplement in 44 healthy adults (24 females, 20 males; mean age 32.7 years). Participants received either four chewable tablets containing 3 g of Beta vulgaris extract (RedNite) or four placebo tablets (maltodextrin), separated by a 4-day washout period. Cognitive performance, mood, and anxiety were evaluated using a neuropsychological testing battery administered 90 minutes after ingestion.
What was found
Beetroot supplementation resulted in significant improvements in memory consolidation via the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test immediate (+20.69%) and delayed (+12.34%) recalls. Increases were also observed in frontal lobe functions (+2.57%) and cognitive flexibility (+11.16%). No significant changes occurred in verbal memory of short-term digits, working memory, or information processing speed. Mood and anxiety assessments showed mixed results, with sequence and period effects observed on the STAI-Y2. Exact p-values and confidence intervals were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This study shows that a single dose of chewable beetroot extract can acutely enhance specific cognitive domains, particularly verbal memory and cognitive flexibility, in healthy adults.
Limits
The sample size was small (n = 44) and only measured acute performance 90 minutes after intake, providing no evidence regarding sustained or repeated use. Anxiety outcomes were confounded by sequence and period effects, and circulating nitrate biomarkers were not reported in the abstract.
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