A very small study in the UK suggests that drinking beetroot juice before exercising could improve your stamina.

The research was led by the University of Exeter, and involved eight men, aged 19 - 38. The men performed a series of cycling tests on exercise bikes, after six consecutive days of drinking:

* 500mls a day of organic beetroot juice

* 500mls a day of a placebo, blackcurrant cordial

After drinking beetroot juice, the group were able to cycle for an average of 11 minutes, 25 seconds — 92 seconds longer than when using the placebo. This translates into a 2 per cent reduction in the time taken to cover a set distance.

It’s thought that the nitrate in the beetroot improved stamina by reducing the oxygen cost of exercise. The reduction in the beetroot-drinkers’ oxygen use was found to be greater than with any other method, including training.

There was also a reduction in the participants’ resting blood pressure. This supports a 2008 study which found drinking beetroot juice lowered blood pressure.

Lead researcher, Professor Andy Jones, said:

We were amazed by the effects of beetroot juice on oxygen uptake because these effects cannot be achieved by any other known means, including training … I am sure professional and amateur athletes will be interested in the results.

This was an extremely small study, and it will be interesting to see the results of future research into this area.

In the meantime, why not try swapping your regular glass of orange or apple juice for beetroot juice? Just one warning: if you develop a taste for it, don’t be surprised if you see the effects of “beeturia” - where your urine turns pink or red!

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