Nitric oxide production and vasodilation
Nitratene® provides dietary nitrate that is reduced to nitrite by oral bacteria and further to NO in hypoxic vascular and muscle tissue — producing sustained vasodilation, improved blood flow, and enhanced oxygen delivery to working muscle. The beet root-derived nitrate operates through the same well-validated dietary nitrate-NO pathway as beetroot juice in the extensive Exeter University nitrate/performance research.
Exercise performance and oxygen efficiency
The extensive beet root nitrate/exercise performance literature (50+ RCTs) confirms dietary nitrate from beet sources reduces the oxygen cost of submaximal exercise (by 1–5%), improves time trial performance, extends time to exhaustion, and supports power output — particularly in endurance and team sport applications where sustained oxygen efficiency is critical.
Blood pressure reduction
Meta-analyses confirm inorganic dietary nitrate (beet root, leafy vegetables) reduces systolic blood pressure by 2–5 mmHg on average — a clinically meaningful effect comparable to modest antihypertensive medication, achieved through endothelial NO-mediated vasodilation.
Enterosalivary nitrate-nitrite-NO cycle
Dietary nitrate from Nitratene® is absorbed in the small intestine and actively secreted into saliva at 10× plasma concentration by salivary glands. Oral commensal bacteria (Veillonella, Actinomyces) reduce salivary nitrate to nitrite via bacterial nitrate reductase enzymes — a process eliminated by antibacterial mouthwash or antibiotic use. Swallowed nitrite is absorbed and transported to tissues where hypoxic conditions (exercising muscle, vascular walls) trigger non-enzymatic reduction to NO by deoxyhemoglobin, xanthine oxidoreductase, and other reductases. Peak blood nitrite levels occur 2–3 hours after ingestion.
Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials examining beet root/dietary nitrate effects on exercise performance, blood pressure, and cardiovascular markers.
Athletes and active adults across 50+ RCTs.
Dietary nitrate from beet root significantly reduced oxygen cost of exercise, improved time trial performance, and reduced blood pressure. Effects most pronounced in recreational athletes and endurance exercise. Consistent evidence across cycling, running, swimming, and team sport applications. Nitratene® provides this established beet root nitrate in standardized, stable supplement form.