Dietary nitrate supplementation preserves peak oxygen uptake during Ramadan fasting in healthy adults
In a randomized controlled trial, healthy adults who consumed beetroot juice (providing ~6.45 mmol nitrate) twice daily for 10 days during Ramadan fasting maintained their absolute and relative peak oxygen uptake, while the control group experienced significant declines. Absolute VO2peak decreased by -155 mL/min in controls but increased by +67 mL/min in the nitrate group (P<0.01). Relative VO2peak changed by -2.4 mL/kg/min in controls versus +0.3 mL/kg/min in the nitrate group (P=0.02).
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Dietary nitrate supplementation preserves peak oxygen uptake during Ramadan fasting in healthy adults The current body of evidence comprises 1 study, including 1 randomized controlled trial. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 44/100 (low).
The Claim
Dietary nitrate supplementation preserves peak oxygen uptake during Ramadan fasting in healthy adults
This conclusion is most relevant to: 21 healthy adults (13 females) observing Ramadan fasting.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Effects of dietary nitrate supplementation on peak oxygen uptake following 10 days of Ramadan fasting in healthy adults. (Experimental physiology, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Dietary nitrate is converted to nitrite and then nitric oxide in the body
- ▸Nitric oxide enhances vasodilation and oxygen delivery to muscles
- ▸Improved oxygen delivery may offset declines in aerobic capacity during fasting
- ▸Result: VO2peak preserved in nitrate group versus decline in control
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸21 healthy adults (13 females) observing Ramadan fasting
Recommended Dose
~12.9 mmol nitrate per day (70 mL beetroot juice twice daily)
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Small sample size (n=21)
- ▸Self-reported physical activity; no objective monitoring
- ▸Short duration (10 days) may not reflect full Ramadan month
- ▸No blinding for control group (non-supplement control)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the effect of beetroot juice on VO2peak during Ramadan fasting?▼
Beetroot juice supplementation (70 mL twice daily) prevented the decline in VO2peak observed in the control group after 10 days of Ramadan fasting.
How much nitrate is in the beetroot juice used in this study?▼
Each 70 mL serving contained approximately 6.45 mmol of nitrate, taken twice daily.
Did dietary nitrate affect body mass or blood pressure during Ramadan?▼
No significant differences were found between groups for changes in body mass, systolic or diastolic blood pressure, or urine specific gravity.
Is this study a randomized controlled trial?▼
Yes, it used a randomized design with 21 healthy participants assigned to either beetroot juice or a non-supplement control group.
References
- 1.Bhimani MM, Bommarito JC, Miners NI, Khangura PK, Stapleton RK, Sharma A, Thiessen JS, Cyr NO, McCarthy DG, Dong J, Cho CE, Millar PJ. “Effects of dietary nitrate supplementation on peak oxygen uptake following 10 days of Ramadan fasting in healthy adults..” Experimental physiology, 2026. PMID: 42613915 DOI: 10.1113/EP093800