Beetroot review leaves cognitive benefits unresolved
A literature review describes potential exercise-performance benefits, while evidence on thinking skills remains inconclusive and findings in elite athletes are mixed.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
This review considered beetroot juice supplementation for physical performance and cognitive function in healthy adults and athletes. The authors describe potential performance benefits, but evidence for improved cognition remains inconclusive. Results also differ by training level, with mixed findings in elite athletes. The abstract does not demonstrate longer life or healthier aging.
The abstract gives no study counts, search details, effect estimates, comparator descriptions or follow-up lengths. That prevents an assessment of how large, consistent or durable any performance benefits might be.
Performance findings vary
The review highlights endurance, oxygen efficiency, power and recovery as areas of interest. Its summary is more favorable for recreationally active or moderately trained people, while elite-athlete findings are mixed.
Cognition remains uncertain
The authors specifically call for research in women and elite athletes. Their discussion of healthy aging extends beyond the reported evidence summary, which centers on physical performance and cognition without presenting measured aging outcomes.
The original publication
Beetroot Juice Supplementation as a Healthy Aging Strategy Through Improving Physical Performance and Cognitive Functions: A Systematic Review.
Nowak A, Szymańska A, Kwaśniewska M et al.
Nutrients · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41470898
- Record checked
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