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Effects of dietary nitrate and vitamin C co-ingestion on blood pressure and hand-grip strength in young adults.

  • 2023-11-08
  • International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition 94(5-6)
    • Eazaz Lbban
    • Alex Macey
    • Joshua Rundle
    • Ammar Ashor
    • Iskandar Idris
    • Mario Siervo

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
ten young healthy participants
Methods
randomised, double-blind (only for the nitrate intervention) crossover clinical trial; participants consumed in random order: 1) nitrate-rich beetroot juice and vitamin C, 2) nitrate-rich beetroot juice alone, or 3) nitrate-depleted beetroot juice alone
Blinding
Double-blind
Funding
Unclear
Background: Co-administration of vitamin C and inorganic nitrate ([Formula: see text]) may reduce oxidative stress, boost the conversion of nitrite ([Formula: see text]) into NO and elicit positive vascular effects. Aims: We aimed to test the effects of oral inorganic [Formula: see text] and vitamin C co-supplementation on vascular function, muscular strength, and on concentrations of urinary [Formula: see text], vitamin C, 8-isoprostanes and salivary [Formula: see text] in healthy young adults. Methods: Ten young healthy participants were enrolled in a randomised, double-blind (only for the [Formula: see text] intervention) crossover clinical trial. Participants consumed in random order: 1) nitrate-rich beetroot juice and vitamin C (N+VC), 2) nitrate-rich beetroot juice alone (N) or 3) nitrate-depleted beetroot juice alone (ND). Resting blood pressure (BP) was measured at the research centre and at home. Non-invasive, continuous measurements of BP and cardiac function parameters were performed using a Finometer device. Free-living physical activity and hand-grip strength were assessed. Salivary [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and urinary [Formula: see text], 8-isoprostanes and vitamin C concentrations were measured. Results: There were no significant differences for any of the vascular outcomes between the three interventions groups. However, analyses of within-intervention changes showed a significant lower daily systolic BP in the [Formula: see text]+vitamin C (N+VC) group only (P=0.04). Urinary [Formula: see text] (P=0.002) and salivary [Formula: see text] (P=0.001) were significantly higher in the N+VC group compared to the N and ND groups. Conclusion: These preliminary findings suggest that combining dietary [Formula: see text] with vitamin C could have protective effects on vascular function in young adults and could represent an effective strategy for the maintenance of healthy cardiovascular trajectories.

Research Insights

  • Vitamin C→Improved Handgrip Strength

    There were no significant differences for any of the vascular outcomes between the three interventions groups. Free-living physical activity and hand-grip strength were assessed.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    dose not specified in abstract
  • Vitamin C→Reduced 8-Isoprostane Level

    Urinary [Formula: see text], 8-isoprostanes and vitamin C concentrations were measured.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    dose not specified in abstract
  • Vitamin C→Reduced Diastolic Blood Pressure

    There were no significant differences for any of the vascular outcomes between the three interventions groups.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    dose not specified in abstract
  • Vitamin C→Reduced Systolic Blood Pressure

    analyses of within-intervention changes showed a significant lower daily systolic BP in the [Formula: see text]+vitamin C (N+VC) group only (P=0.04).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    dose not specified in abstract
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