Efficacy of Beetroot Juice Consumption on the Lipid Profile of Female Soccer Players

Abstract

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.

Beta vulgaris L. (Beetroot) Methanolic Extract Prevents Hepatic Steatosis and Liver Damage in T2DM Rats by Hypoglycemic, Insulin-Sensitizing, Antioxidant Effects, and Upregulation of PPARα

“…The hypolipidemic effect of beetroot juice or extract is well-reported in healthy individuals, rodents, rabbits fed a “cholesterol diet”, and diabetic animals [ 51 , 52 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 ]. In most of these studies, the beneficial effects of beer root included lowering circulatory CHOL, TGs, and LDL-c levels and increasing HDL-c levels.…”

Nephroprotective and Anti-Diabetic Potential of Beta vulgaris L. Root (Beetroot) Methanolic Extract in a Rat Model of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

“…Those authors reported that the hypoglycemia induced by BE is mediated by several interconnected mechanisms such as decreasing intestinal absorption, promoting the generation of pancreatic beta cells, improving insulin clearance via increasing the expression of glucose receptors, suppressing hepatic gluconeogenesis-related enzyme, and enhancing insulin peripheral sensitivity. In addition, the hypolipidemic effect of BE was reported in diabetic animal models of type 1 and 2, as well as in rodents fed high-calorie diets [ 5 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Previously, we have shown that feeding BE can reverse insulin resistance and the release of free fatty acids from adipose tissue [ 8 ].…”

Evaluation of 12-Week Standardized Beetroot Extract Supplementation in Older Participants: A Preliminary Study of Human Health Safety

“…The authors suggested that the polyphenols (e.g., betalains) and nitrate found in the beetroot may have contributed to the decrease in insulin concentration. In addition to the properties of beetroot that are beneficial for glycemic control, two studies [ 57 , 58 ] have highlighted its effect on lipid profile variables (i.e., TC, LDL-c, HDL-c, and TG), demonstrating reduced concentrations of TC, LDL-c, and TG after a single dose [ 58 ] and six weeks [ 57 ] of beetroot juice supplementation. The mechanism by which beetroot can lead to changes in lipid metabolism is not entirely understood.…”