NCT07444138

Effects of Beetroot Extract on Blood Pressure and Exercise in Hypertensive Older Women

Acute Effects of Beetroot Extract Supplementation on Blood Pressure, Oxidative Stress, and Muscle Oxygen Saturation in Hypertensive Older Women Submitted to an Aerobic Exercise Session

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Sponsor: São Paulo State University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the acute effects of beetroot extract in older women with high blood pressure. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does beetroot extract affect blood pressure during exercise? Does it change oxygen levels in the muscles? Participants will take a beetroot supplement and perform an aerobic exercise session to check how their bodies respond.

Detailed description

Note: Although registered as Single Group/Open Label for data entry purposes, this study is strictly double-blind and randomized regarding the order of interventions (crossover design). Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in older adults. Dietary nitrate, found in beetroot extract, has been shown to improve vascular health and exercise tolerance. However, its specific effects on older women with hypertension during exercise require further investigation. This clinical trial aims to analyze the acute impact of beetroot extract supplementation on cardiovascular and metabolic parameters. Specifically, the study will measure blood pressure responses, oxidative stress markers, and muscle oxygen saturation (assessed via NIRS) in hypertensive older women submitted to a single session of aerobic exercise. The goal is to determine if nitrate supplementation can attenuate the cardiovascular stress of exercise and improve muscle oxygenation in this population.

Conditions

• Hypertension
• Hypertension (HTN)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Beetroot Extract (Nitrate-rich)	Participants will ingest 2 capsules of a standardized beetroot extract (Berkeley Life Nitric Oxide Foundation). Each dose provides approximately 314 mg of dietary nitrate.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Placebo	Capsules identical in appearance, color, and size to the experimental supplement, but containing an inert substance (starch). This intervention is used to maintain the double-blind design of the study.
BEHAVIORAL	Exercise	Participants will perform a single aerobic exercise session on a treadmill. The protocol consists of a 7-minute warm-up followed by 30 minutes of continuous exercise at an intensity corresponding to 60-80% of maximum heart rate (HRmax), estimated using Tanaka's formula (208 - 0.7 \* age). Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) will be monitored periodically using the Borg scale (6-20).
OTHER	Rest (Control Condition)	Participants will remain seated for 30 minutes (matching the exercise session duration). During this time, a researcher will administer a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) in an interview format. This activity serves to assess dietary habits and simulates a routine, low-exertion daily activity (similar to a conversation), acting as a time-matched control for the exercise session.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-10-08
• Primary completion: 2026-06-01
• Completion: 2026-07-01
• First posted: 2026-03-02
• Last updated: 2026-03-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Brazil