Not all beetroot juices sold to athletes have the same amount of nitrate — some have barely any, while others have a lot. Only five brands consistently give you enough nitrate (at least 5 mmol) to possibly help with athletic performance.
Claim Language
Language Strength
probability
Uses probability language (may, likely, can)
The claim uses 'varied widely', 'some providing', 'others as much as', and 'associated with' — all of which indicate likelihood or correlation rather than certainty. 'Associated with' is a probabilistic phrase, not a definitive causal one.
Context Details
Domain
nutrition
Population
human
Subject
Commercial beetroot juice products marketed to athletes
Action
vary widely in nitrate content, and only five products consistently delivered
Target
nitrate content ranging from 0.43 mmol to 18.77 mmol per serving, with ≥5 mmol/serving dose associated with potential performance benefits
Intervention Details
Gold Standard Evidence Needed
According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
What's in Your Beet Juice? Nitrate and Nitrite Content of Beet Juice Products Marketed to Athletes.
Scientists tested 24 different beetroot juices sold to athletes and found that some have barely any nitrate, while others have a lot — and only five of them always had enough nitrate to possibly help with athletic performance.