BeetElite

BeetElite is a powdered beetroot supplement that allegedly delivers the equivalent of six whole beets in one serving, which can boost nitric oxide (NO) levels.

According to HumanN, by mixing one packet of their supplement in 4oz of water, you will:

• Extend your exercise endurance
• Improve your energy and stamina
• Increase oxygen delivery in the body

HumanN claims their beetroot supplement will activate more essential nitric oxide than other products on the market.

BeetElite is manufactured in the USA, contains no gluten or GMO ingredients, and works by mixing two scoops in 4-6oz of water and consuming immediately, 30-60 minutes before exercise.

This review contains an examination of the ingredients and safety to help you decide if this is the right product for you.

What’s the Relationship Between Beets & Nitric Oxide?

Beets—along with other foods like celery, carrots, potatoes, spinach, and kale—contain large amounts of nitrates, which are inorganic compounds composed of three oxygen molecules and one nitrogen molecule.

Once processed by the body, nitrates lose one nitrogen molecule and become nitrites, which are eventually converted into ammonia and disposed of. How does this relate to nitric oxide?

While nitric oxide is normally produced by endothelial cells lining our blood vessels to help widen arteries and maximize blood flow (known as vasodilation), nitrates can also be converted into nitric oxide inside the body.

Doctors often prescribe nitrate pills to help individuals with chest pain, heart disease, and poor circulation find some level of relief.

BeetElite’s Ingredients & Nutrition Facts

According to the canister label shown on their website, BeetElite contains the following ingredients:

Non-GMO Beetroot Powder, Non-GMO Beetroot Powder (fermented), Natural Black Cherry

Flavor, Malic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbate, and Stevia Leaf Extract

These ingredients contain the following nutritional profile:

• Calories 30
• Total Fat 0g
• Sodium 130mg
• Potassium 320mg
• Carbohydrates 8g
• Sugars 7g
• Protein 1g
• Magnesium 20mg
• Vitamin C 100mg

The nutritional content of these ingredients seems to be on par for what is comparable to a 100g serving of beets, despite a single serving of BeetElite being equivalent to 10g.

The additional ingredients used to improve flavor, like black cherry and stevia, may account for some of the discrepancies. Also, vitamin C content comes from the inclusion of ascorbate.

As BeetElite intends to strictly improve athletic performance, it does not appear that any deliberate steps were taken to bolster the nutritional content beyond ensuring the natural beet flavoring was made to be more appealing.

Although this allows for more convenience, it also means that you’re likely missing out on the fiber, vitamins, and minerals often obtained when consuming vegetables in their natural state.

Is There Clinical Proof That Beet Supplementation Provides Benefits?

While some conflicting studies exist, the nitrates contained in beets (and powders like BeetElite) seems to provide some real-world benefits in humans.

According to our recent interview with Jessica Crandall, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, and Director of Denver Wellness and Nutrition, she states the following:

“Beets are a nutrient-rich root vegetable. Research suggests that competitive athletes who ate 1 beet per day (up to 1.5 cups of beets) 75 minutes before running were able to move at a faster pace with perceived less exertion.

Nitrates convert to nitric oxide in the body, which functions to widen blood vessels, in turn allowing for increased blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients to reach working muscles. Nitrates may also improve your muscle’s use of oxygen during activity. Once again, food sources are the best for obtaining this nutrient benefit.”

A 2015 Penn State study was the first to measure blood flow to the contracting muscles after beetroot juice supplement, finding it had no effect. They did find that the participants’ arteries “de-stiffened,” but not that they necessarily widened.

Available research detailing the effect of beetroot juice supplementation on endurance training was recently summed up in a review of 23 articles.

They concluded that 70-500ml of beetroot juice before activity might improve your ability to deliver oxygen to exercising muscles, as well as increase the time to exhaustion during intense activity.

The biggest benefits were seen at the highest doses, however. The researchers suggest ingesting 6-8mmol (more than 500ml) of nitrate 90-minutes before exercise. As BeetElite claims, each serving is equivalent to 6 beets. Theoretically, you should be hitting this number.

Unfortunately, after testing 24 beetroot juice supplements, this study found that only 5 consistently offered >5mmol of nitrates. The majority of these products varied greatly from serving to serving.

Are There Any Side Effects?

The manufacturer states that you shouldn’t exceed two scoops in 24 hours, and that you shouldn't mix BeetElite with bottled juice.

Serious side effects with beetroot supplementation are rarely reported. However, there is currently insufficient long-term studies that allow for complete characterization of chronic use of beetroot supplements.

You are most likely to encounter red urine and stools. This is a harmless side effect that is caused by the betacyanin pigment found in beets.

Stomach discomfort and headaches have also been reported at doses ranging from 70-500mL. Also, keep in mind that the proposed NO boosting effects of BeetElite may alter your blood pressure.

Research has not demonstrated the ability of similar products to lower pressures in a dangerous range, though combining them with erectile dysfunction or blood pressure medications can be dangerous.

For these reasons, you should speak with your doctor before use.

The Cost

Available in Black Cherry and Original flavors, one 7.1 oz BeetElite canister costs $39.95 with free shipping when purchased on their standard website directly.

However, purchasing the supplement through one of the company's special offers page typically will provide the following pricing:

• 1 Bottle: $39.95 + $8.95 Shipping (or 12% discount if subscribed)
• Buy 2 Get 1 Free: $79.90 with free shipping (or 41% discount if subscribed)
• Buy 4 Get 2 Free:$149.90 with free shipping (or 45% discount if subscribed)

The product is also available at Amazon, LuckyVitamin.com, Walmart, and many other smaller retailers.

If purchased directly through the company, BeetElite comes with a 90-day satisfaction guarantee, less S&H.

To request a refund, you may contact support at 855-636-4040, info@humann.com, or via online chat.

BeetElite vs. SuperBeets

Browsing the Human Power of N website, you probably wondered what the difference between BeetElite and SuperBeets was, considering they’re manufactured by the same company and contain the same ingredients (just at different levels).

Here are their specifications side-by-side:

For some clarification, we spoke with support via chat. Here was their response:

“SuperBeets and BeetElite are the same product intended for different uses. SuperBeets is a 5-gram serving that provides sufficient nitrite and nitrate to support NO production. During exercise, metabolic demands are much different.

The 10g serving of BeetElite titrates up nitrite and nitrate levels so that NO production can be achieved, even under anaerobic conditions (conditions under which NO production normally shuts down).”

The Bottom Line

While there is ample support for the performance-boosting effects of this supplement in human subjects, it may be challenging to know the precise amount of nitrates you’re ingesting with each serving.

Despite the potential upside of this product, it may be unsafe. Those taking erectile dysfunction or blood pressure medications may be especially at risk.

Be sure to speak with your doctor before use to determine if it can be safely incorporated into your daily routine.