Beetroot Juice for Boosting Immunity During a Time of Stress.
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Interventions
- Dietary Supplement: Placebo ControlDietary Supplement: Beetroot Juice
- Registration Number
- NCT06434181
- Lead Sponsor
- Baylor University
- Brief Summary
The purpose of the present study is to explore the effects of a dietary nitrate supplement (i.e., beetroot juice) on nitric oxide levels, immunity, mood, and cardiovascular activity during and following final exam stress in healthy individuals.
- Detailed Description
Research has demonstrated that during times of high stress (i.e., during final exam period), there is a decrease in fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in healthy undergraduate students. Additionally, a separate line of research has demonstrated periods of high stress impact immunity and the cardiovascular system. Nitric oxide may have a benefit in improving the physiological and psychological consequences of stress.
The present research aims to explore the impact of a dietary supplement (beetroot juice drink) on immunity, nitric oxide levels, cardiovascular activity, and mood during and following final exam stress. In this study, investigators monitor changes in cold symptoms, IL-8, blood pressure, airway nitric oxide, and mood in students during the time of final exams and a comparable time of low stress during the term. There are three laboratory assessment visits, as well as a brief questionnaire on a separate day. During the final exam period, half of the participants are randomly assigned to the experimental group provided with a dietary supplement (beetroot juice drink) of which they are asked to take two doses every day (one in the morning and one in the evening) for seven days. The other half of the participants are randomly assigned to the placebo control group provided with a placebo supplement (placebo drink) of which they are asked to take two doses every day (one in the morning and one in the evening for seven days). For the final exam period, the first of the two sessions takes place early in the examination period (first half), and the second assessment takes place in the later exam period (second half). The online questionnaire assessing symptoms is measured 3 days after the final examination period.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 114
- Currently enrolled at Baylor University or Southern Methodist University
- Current smoker
- Clinically significant asthma, COPD, Emphysema, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, thyroid dysfunction, out of control diabetes
- Pregnancy, diagnosis of schizophrenia, psychosis, mood disorder, psychosis, drug or alcohol dependance
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Placebo Control Placebo Control Participants in this group are given 7 daily doses of a placebo matched in appearance and taste (Beet-it Sport placebo juice shots) and asked to drink two doses daily during the week of their final academic examinations of that term in college. Beetroot Juice Beetroot Juice Participants in this group are given 7 daily doses of a dietary nitrate supplement (Beet-it Sport beetroot juice shots, ) and asked to drink two doses daily during the week of their final academic examinations of that term in college.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS) Baseline (non-stress mid point of semester), 1-3 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period), 4-6 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period), 1-3 days after finishing beetroot shots (after final examinations) Assesses symptoms of acute upper respiratory tract infections (common cold symptoms) by questionnaire
Changes in IL-8 levels Baseline (non-stress mid point of semester), 1-3 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period), 4-6 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period) Change in IL-8 levels
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Resting blood pressure Baseline (non-stress mid point of semester), 1-3 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period), 4-6 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period) Resting blood pressure (systolic and diastolic)
Change in negative affect Baseline (non-stress mid point of semester), 1-3 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period), 4-6 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period) PANAS negative affect scale
Change in depressive symptomology Baseline (non-stress mid point of semester), 1-3 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period), 4-6 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
Acute stress Baseline (non-stress mid point of semester), 1-3 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period), 4-6 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period) Perceived Stress Scale
Adherence monitoring (feasibility ) Every day, twice a day during active beetroot Participants will upload a cell phone video of their intake for that day to a secure cloud folder, time stamp in comparison to assigned intake windows provides measure of adherence
Exhaled Nitric Oxide Baseline (non-stress mid point of semester), 1-3 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period), 4-6 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period) The Fraction of NO in Exhaled Breath (FENO, in ppb) will be measured with an electrochemical gas analyzer (NIOX vero).
Trial Locations
- Locations (2)
Southern Methodist University
🇺🇸Dallas, Texas, United States
Annie T. Ginty
🇺🇸Waco, Texas, United States