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Betalains Alleviate Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Fatigue and Improve Sports Performance: an Update on Recent Advancement

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Beetroot juice is a popular natural food supplement commonly consumed for its health and ergogenic benefits. It contains an abundance of phytochemical compounds, which have been shown to enhance sports endurance and recovery. Among them, nitrate is well-studied and known for improving performance during exercise. On the other hand, betalains, the bioactive pigment, have shown various biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypertensive, which may improve exercise performance and post-exercise recovery. Additionally, free radical scavenging activities of betalains could increase nitric oxide availability in the blood, thereby improving blood flow and oxygen supply during strenuous exercise. This review article provides a critical discussion of the non-pathological conditions induced by prolonged or strenuous exercise and betalains’ potential in reducing such conditions including muscle damage, inflammation, and fatigue. Additionally, the real-time application of betalains as an ergogenic compound in competitive athletes has been discussed. Finally, future directions and conclusions on the potential of betalains as a natural ergogenic aid in sport endurance are outlined.

Recent Findings

Betalains in beetroot are the major water-soluble nitrogen-containing pigment possessing high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fatigue activities. Betalain supplementation could alleviate exercise-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and fatigue in competitive athletes.

Summary

Betalains have the potential to become a natural ergogenic aid or nutraceutical compound for sports people during exercise and competitive performance.

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Acknowledgements

This research is supported by Mahidol University, Thailand.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Adult Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Burapha University, 169 Long Had Bangsaen Road, Saen Suk, Chonburi, 20131, Thailand

    Siriwan Nirmal

  2. Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada

    Oladipupo Odunayo Olatunde

  3. Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, 999 Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand

    Seema Medhe & Nilesh Prakash Nirmal

  4. Department of Health Sciences, Health Sciences Building, Drexel University, 3601 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Steven Vitti

  5. College of Sports Science and Technology, Mahidol University, 999 Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand

    Chutimon Khemtong

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Contributions

The authors’ contributions were as follows: SN, OOO, and SM searched and collected literature, compiled data, and drafted some parts of the manuscript. NPN conceived the work, searched and collected literature, drafted, revised, and edited the manuscript. SV and CK revised and edited the manuscript. 

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Correspondence to Nilesh Prakash Nirmal.

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Statement of Significance

This review provided the current research on betalains as an ergogenic aid for sport performance improvement. Literature suggests that betalains are a major compound in beetroot followed by nitrate and betalains possess various biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, anti-cancer, antimicrobial etc. Additionally, betalains may enhance the blood flow of the sports people during exercise and competitive performance. Betalains could enhance sports and exercise performance by boosting the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory systems as well as eliminating toxic metabolites.

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Nirmal, S., Olatunde, O.O., Medhe, S. et al. Betalains Alleviate Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Fatigue and Improve Sports Performance: an Update on Recent Advancement. Curr Nutr Rep 12, 778–787 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-023-00500-0

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