You’ve most likely heard the hype about beets, which is why we are here to share how beets are on fleek - especially for those in high intensity athletic performance. Although beets are able to offer several benefits raw, cooked, or other forms, they are most beneficial and potent when cold-pressed. Eating beets when they are cold-pressed in their 100% natural form, allows nutrients to be fully absorbed and bioavailable to your body for effective use. 

1. Endurance + Stamina Performance

Beets are most famously known to athletes as a potent source for natural nitrates, which are converted into nitric oxide. Nitrates improve the function of mitochondria, which is the part of the cell responsible for producing energy. ATP is able to rest more during activity and cost less oxygen expenditure with the help of beets.The efficient delivery of oxygen to the bloodstream can boost performance by 16%. This increase could be significant to race and training performance. Imagine if you bike a 3 minute mile on average, but with a 16% improvement, dropping that time to 2:30 min/mile. Nitrates are most effective when absorbed prior to intense exertion. Consuming a cold-pressed beet product such as the MODe Beet + Berry Endurance Power Booster 90 minutes before training is ideal for peak performance.

2. Digestion

Every athlete is familiar with importance of consistent digestion tracts as well as effective waste removal from the body. One cup of beetroot is approximately 3.4 grams of fiber, making beets the perfect sidekick to incorporate regular disposal from the colon and system. Don’t be alarmed if you notice a red color change in urine disposal, in fact this is a very normal indicator of beet intake.  Given the digestion benefits of beets, it is also believed by many health professionals to aid in preventing chronic diseases, liver disease, and colon cancer.

3. Brain Health

One often overlooked benefit for beet intake is the positive impact it can have on stimulating a healthy brain. Conversion of nitric oxide to the blood system from beets have been particularly found to improve blood flow to the frontal lobe. The frontal lobe is responsible for memory and decision making function. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, research showed “simple reaction time during a computer-based cognitive function test was 4% faster in those who consumed 8.5 ounces (250 ml) of beetroot juice daily for two weeks, compared to the placebo".

4. Respiratory Improvement

Athletes who suffer from symptoms of asthma may greatly benefit  from the use of beetroot in their regular diet. Beetroot contains loads of Vitamin C and antioxidants responsible for stimulating white blood cells to fight off virus and bacterial infections.

MODe is dedicated to providing the highest quality and most nutrient-packed formulas to match the caliber of our athletes - which is why we formulated the MODe Beet + Berry Endurance Power Booster. After all the miles, time, and effort you dedicate to your training we want to be there for you when you’re on that last mile and kicking butt.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4425174/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-beets#section3

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/beets.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/545062-can-i-eat-beets-without-cooking-them/

http://www.medicaldaily.com/beetroot-juice-competitive-edge-elite-athletes-377860