Influence of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Blood Pressure, Walking Economy, Functional Physical Capacity and Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Adults
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- University of Exeter
- Enrollment
- 30
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Blood pressure
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This study investigates the influence of dietary nitrate supplementation on cardiovascular health and physical and cognitive performance in older adults. Participants will receive both a nitrate containing beetroot juice for 10 days and a nitrate depleted beetroot juice for 10 days
Detailed Description
A recent exciting finding is that dietary nitrate supplementation (in the form of beetroot juice) appears to reduce the amount of oxygen needed to complete moderate intensity walking in healthy, young individuals. Nitrate is known to be converted in the body to nitric oxide (NO), a substance which reduces blood pressure and may affect the energy-producing mechanisms inside muscle cells. Exercise tolerance and muscle function typically declines with age and nitrate supplementation therefore may help improve cardiovascular health and the ability to carry out low-intensity daily activities in aging populations. The purpose of this study is to see if healthy, elderly individuals benefit from beetroot juice intake similarly to the effects seen in young adults. If this is indeed the case, then it may suggest that dietary supplementation with a relatively cheap, widely available, and natural food product may improve the ability of healthy elderly individuals to undergo everyday tasks and ultimately improve their quality of life.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Crossover
- Primary Purpose
- Other
- Masking
- Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 70 Years to 80 Years (Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •70 - 80 years of age
- •male or female
Exclusion Criteria
- •involved in regular structured exercise
- •receiving medication for:
- •pulmonary conditions
- •cardiovascular conditions
- •metabolic conditions
- •musculoskeletal conditions
- •ulcerative colitis
- •renal disease
Arms & Interventions
Nitrate-rich beetroot juice
2 x 70mL concentrated juice per day for 10 days
Intervention: Nitrate-rich beetroot juice (Dietary Supplement)
Nitrate-depleted beetroot juice
2 x 70mL concentrated juice per day for 10 days
Intervention: Nitrate-depleted beetroot juice (Dietary Supplement)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Blood pressure
Time Frame: 10 days
Change in blood pressure between interventions
Secondary Outcomes
- 6 minute walk test(10 days)
- Serial Subtraction test(10 days)
- Oxygen cost of exercise(10 days)
- Brain metabolism(10 days)
- Microbiome(10 days)