Background: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of consuming 6 weeks of beetroot juice (Beta vulgaris L.) on hematological parameters in female soccer players. Methods: Twenty female soccer players were selected randomly and assigned into two groups: Experimental (beetroot juice, n = 10) and control (placebo, n = 10). Subjects trained for six weeks (three 90-min sessions per week) by consuming 200 mL of juice 2 hours prior to training. Blood samples were collected and investigated (Hb, Hct, RBC, Iron, MCV, Ferritin and TIBC) in pre-and posttest. Paired Sample t-test and Independent Sample t-test were used for comparision within and between groups, respectively. Statistical significance was P ≤ 0.05. Results: Results showed that the experimental group had significant increases in the Hb, Hct, RBC, iron, and ferritin levels (P < 0.05). No significant difference was detected in MCV levels (t =-1.10, P = 0.29) and there was a significant decrease in the TIBC (t = 4.99, P = 0.001). In the control group, there were significant differences in (Hct, iron, ferritin and TIBC) (P < 0.05). In addition, there were significant differences in (Hb, Hct, RBC, iron, ferritin and TIBC) levels between experimental and control subjects (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in MCV (t = 1.11, P = 0.28). Conclusions: Since beetroot juice consumption has significant effects on the levels of some hematological parameters in female soccer players, it can be used to prevent and improve anemia among these athletes.

Background and Objective: It is desirable for athletes, especially female soccer players, to consume beetroot beverage during training as a way of improving both health and performance ,. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the effect of beetroot juice intake on lipid profile in female soccer players. Methods: Young and well-trained female soccer players (N=20) were included in a randomized placebo-controlled crossover study. They were categorized into two groups: experimental (beetroot beverage, n=10, age: 23.20±0.91 years, BMI: 22.57±1.54(kg/m 2)) and control (placebo, n=10, age: 23±0.81 years, BMI: 23.13±0.58(kg/m 2)). Subjects drank either 200 ml concentrated beetroot beverage or an equal amount of placebo 2 hours prior to their trainings for six weeks (18 session). Blood samples were taken 24 hours before and after trials. All data were compared in pretest and posttest via paired sample t-test and independent sample t-test. All statistical analyses were performed at (P≤0.05) by SPSS (version22). Results: Beetroot juice intake increased plasma high density lipoprotein (t=-60.88, P<0.05). Triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein were reduced (P<0.05). Compared with placebo, beetroot juice reduced the concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein (P<0.05). Conclusion: Regular beetroot juice intake has significant effects on lipid profile in female soccer players, hence its suggestion for preventing diseases such as hypercholesterolemia and hypertension in female soccer players.

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Background: Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disease with many consequences. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the separate and combined effects of resistance training and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) juice consumption on diabetic indicators and lipid profiles in women with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Women with type 2 diabetes (n = 40) were assessed in a randomized, double-blind study and categorized into four groups: (training + placebo), (training + supplement), supplement, and control. Blood sampling was performed 48 hours before and after the protocol, and blood indicators were evaluated to compare their changes among groups. One-way ANOVA statistical tests and Tukey’s post hoc test were used to compare groups. Results: The results indicated that separate resistance training significantly decreased fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) significantly increased. Cucumber juice consumption significantly reduced FBS, HbA1c, TG, TC, and LDL, while HDL significantly increased (P < 0.05). Combined resistance training and consuming cucumber juice caused a more significant decrease in (FBS, HbA1c, TG, TC, and LDL), and HDL increased significantly (P < 0.05). Intergroup changes in (FBS, TG, TC, LDL) was significant (P < 0.05). Intergroup changes in (HbA1c and HDL) were significant (P < 0.05). However, differences in (HbA1c and HDL) between training and supplement groups were not significant (P ≥ 0.05). Conclusions: Separate and combined effects of resistance training and cucumber juice consumption improved diabetic indicators and lipid profile in women with type 2 diabetes.

Background: One of the beverages improving athletic performance is beetroot juice. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate if six weeks of beetroot juice ingestion can increase VO2max and improve the performance of female soccer players. Methods: 20 female soccer players (age: 23.13 ± 0.77 years) were selected and assigned into two groups: experimental (beetroot juice, n = 10) and control (placebo, n = 10). The Bruce test was first done to assess VO2max without drinking beetroot juice. Then, the experimental group started consuming 200 mL of the juice two hours before each training session for six weeks. Finally, the second Bruce test was performed after six weeks of beetroot juice ingestion. Results: There was a significant increase in VO2max in the experimental and control groups from pretest to posttest (P < 0.001). In addition, the results of independent samples t-test showed there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in VO2max (P < 0.001, t = 12.39). Conclusions: The present study provides evidence that beetroot juice positively affects performance and increases the maximum volume of oxygen consumption in female soccer players. Therefore, we can propose this juice to female soccer players to improve their performance.