Objectives

Inorganic nitrate is one of the most effective compounds in beetroot for improving cardiovascular function due to its conversion to nitric oxide in the body. This review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the role of beetroot inorganic nitrate supplementation on adults' cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review of articles published without time limitation until November 2020 in PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and gray literature databases. We included the original randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in which the effect of beetroot inorganic nitrate supplementation on endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and blood pressure was studied.

Results

43 studies were included for qualitative synthesis, out of which 27 were eligible for meta-analysis. Beetroot inorganic nitrate supplementation significantly decreased Arterial Stiffness (Pulse Wave Velocity (−0.27 m/s, p = 0.04)) and increased Endothelial function (Flow Mediated Dilation: 0.62%, p = 0.002) but did not change other parameters (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Beetroot inorganic nitrate supplementation might have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular risk factors. Further high-quality investigations will be needed to provide sufficient evidence.

中文翻译：

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甜菜根无机硝酸盐补充剂对心血管危险因素的影响：随机对照试验的系统评价和荟萃回归

目标

无机硝酸盐是甜菜根中对改善心血管功能最有效的化合物之一，因为它在体内转化为一氧化氮。本综述和荟萃分析旨在调查甜菜根无机硝酸盐补充剂对成人心血管危险因素的作用。

方法

我们对截至 2020 年 11 月在 PubMed、Embase、ISI Web of Science、Scopus、Cochrane 图书馆和灰色文献数据库中不受时间限制地发表的文章进行了系统的文献综述。我们纳入了最初的随机临床试验 (RCT)，其中研究了甜菜根无机硝酸盐补充剂对内皮功能、动脉僵硬度和血压的影响。

结果

43 项研究被纳入定性综合，其中 27 项符合荟萃分析条件。甜菜根无机硝酸盐补充剂显着降低动脉僵硬度（脉搏波速度（-0.27 m/s，p = 0.04））并增加内皮功能（流动介导扩张：0.62%，p = 0.002）但没有改变其他参数（p > 0.05 ）。

结论

甜菜根无机硝酸盐补充剂可能对心血管危险因素产生有益影响。需要进一步的高质量调查以提供足够的证据。