Is There a Role of Beetroot Consumption on the Recovery of Oxidative Status and Muscle Damage in Ultra-Endurance Runners?

2024-02-21
Nutrients 16(5)
- Eva Vilar
- Eladio Collado-Boira
- Carlos Guerrero
- Ana Folch-Ayora
- Pablo Salas-Medina
- Carlos Hernando
- Pablo Baliño
- María Muriach

PubMed: 38474711
DOI: 10.3390/nu16050583

Study Design

Type: Observational
Population: 32 runners during the IX Penyagolosa Trails CSP®® race
Methods: An observational and longitudinal study was conducted by means of surveys and blood samples collected during the race and the two following days
Duration: the race and the two following days

Rigorous Journal

(1) Background: Ultra-endurance exercise involves a high physical impact, resulting in muscle damage, inflammatory response and production of free radicals that alter the body's oxidative state. Supplementation with antioxidants, such as beetroot, may improve recovery in ultra-endurance runners. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between beetroot intake and recovery of serum oxidative status, inflammatory response and muscle damage parameters after an ultra-endurance race. (2) Methods: An observational and longitudinal study was conducted by means of surveys and blood samples collected from 32 runners during the IX Penyagolosa Trails CSP^®® race and the two following days. The variables C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), the activity of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) as well as the oxidative damage markers malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyl groups (CG) and loss of muscle strength using the squat jump (SJ) test were analyzed to discriminate whether beetroot consumption can modulate the recovery of ultra-trail runners. (3) Results: Significant differences were observed between runners who ingested beetroot and those who did not, in terms of oxidative status, specifically in serum GPx activity at 24 and 48 h, muscle damage variables CK and LDH and regarding the SJ test results at the finish line. Therefore, the intake of supplements containing beetroot positively influences the recovery of serum oxidative status and muscle damage after ultra-endurance running.

Research Insights

beetroot→Improved Muscle Strength
Significant differences were observed ... regarding the SJ test results at the finish line.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
beetroot→Increased Glutathione Peroxidase Activity
Significant differences were observed between runners who ingested beetroot and those who did not, in terms of oxidative status, specifically in serum GPx activity at 24 and 48 h, muscle damage variables CK and LDH and regarding the SJ test results at the finish line.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
beetroot→Increased Glutathione Reductase Activity
The variables ... glutathione reductase (GR) ... were analyzed to discriminate whether beetroot consumption can modulate the recovery of ultra-trail runners.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
beetroot→Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels
The variables C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), the activity of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) as well as the oxidative damage markers malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyl groups (CG) and loss of muscle strength using the squat jump (SJ) test were analyzed to discriminate whether beetroot consumption can modulate the recovery of ultra-trail runners.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
beetroot→Reduced Carbonyl Group Level
The variables ... carbonyl groups (CG) ... were analyzed to discriminate whether beetroot consumption can modulate the recovery of ultra-trail runners.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
beetroot→Reduced Creatine Kinase Level
Significant differences were observed between runners who ingested beetroot and those who did not, in terms of oxidative status, specifically in serum GPx activity at 24 and 48 h, muscle damage variables CK and LDH and regarding the SJ test results at the finish line.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
beetroot→Reduced Lactate Dehydrogenase Level
Significant differences were observed between runners who ingested beetroot and those who did not, in terms of oxidative status, specifically in serum GPx activity at 24 and 48 h, muscle damage variables CK and LDH and regarding the SJ test results at the finish line.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
beetroot→Reduced Malondialdehyde
The variables ... malondialdehyde (MDA) ... were analyzed to discriminate whether beetroot consumption can modulate the recovery of ultra-trail runners.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small