Beet took the top spot in sales growth for herbal supplement ingredients in 2023 – with annual sales more than doubling from the year prior. So why did consumers spend over $65 million on these products last year?
According to data from the American Botanical Council (ABC) HerbalGram 2023 Market Report, 53% of beet supplement products sold in mainstream retail stores were marketed for energy support. Heart health was another focus – about one third of beet products sold in 2023 were promoted for cardiovascular health. Interest in these products is clearly on the rise, but do they offer any benefits?
When it comes to energy support, specifically for athletic performance, some clinical data are positive. Taking beet by mouth, often as beetroot juice, might improve performance during aerobic activities in some people. The nitrates in beets are converted to nitric oxide in the saliva. Nitric oxide can affect blood vessels, possibly reducing blood pressure and making it easier to exercise. But it’s not clear during which athletic activities it might be most useful, and it might not help everyone. Elite athletes specifically don’t seem to benefit from beet – this might be due to the increased ability to use oxygen that comes from extensive training.
As for heart health, taking beet by mouth might slightly reduce blood pressure in healthy patients, but it’s not clear if it benefits those with hypertension. It’s also unclear if it helps patients with coronary heart disease.
If patients are interested in trying a beet product, beetroot juice has been used safely in doses of up to 500 mL daily for up to 7 days. It can make urine or stools appear pink or red, but this isn't harmful. And there aren’t any known interactions with drugs or other supplements. As always, remind patients to look for quality products. Check out our recently updated beet monograph to learn more.
The information in this brief report is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions. Copyright © 2024 NatMed. Commercial distribution or reproduction prohibited. NatMed is the leading provider of high-quality, evidence-based, clinically-relevant information on natural medicine, dietary supplements, herbs, vitamins, minerals, functional foods, diets, complementary practices, CAM modalities, exercises and medical conditions. Monograph sections include interactions with herbs, drugs, foods and labs, contraindications, depletions, dosing, toxicology, adverse effects, pregnancy and lactation data, synonyms, safety and effectiveness.
