Beware of the beetroot!
- Thread starter Easytigers
- Start date
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Yes, I've read somewhere that it acts like a natural EPO in that it increases the blood's ability to carry oxygen. There is a company exploiting this connection to market their beetroot shots (the name of the company escapes me but it'd be easily web searched).
It's not the beetroot itself that does this, it's an enzyme in your saliva that is produced when you eat beetroot (so I guess other foodstuffs too). Tbh, it all struck me as a little tenuous when I read it. Suffice it too say that I don't see truck loads of beetroot outside the cycling teams' hotels on the TdF!
I think the brand is 'Beet-it'. I tried one of their shots a few years back and nearly gagged on it as it was so foul.
I have read that using a mouth wash prevents the necessary enzyme action in the saliva.
Having tried most 'wonder supplements' over the years the term 'snake-oil' is one that often comes to mind in relation to all of them. however, I just thought that I would throw some comments into the discussion!
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
Absolutely love beetroot but Mr summerdays hasn't planted enough yet, we've grown some of that chioggia this year as well. I'm trying to persuade him to fill the potato bed with them next as we lift those. Never can have too many!
That's the stuff! I tried it at a cycle show a few years back and found it, um, intense but tolerable. But then I like beetroot!
Of the science, I got it wrong in that it's to do with nitrate levels in the blood rather than oxygen. The nitrate seemingly lessening the muscles' needs for oxygen thereby supposedly making them function more efficiently/longer on the oxygen they do get/need.
More on the science for those interested...
http://cyclingtips.com.au/2013/04/beetroot-juice-good-science-or-great-marketing-hype/
...nope, not convinced myself either
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Those effervescent Vitamin C tablets make your pee go bright orange a few hours after. Disconcerting first time round !
Saluki
World class procrastinator
- Location
- ...Norwich over the water.
I love beetroot too. Wonderful stuff. I have eaten it as comfort food before now. You can never have too much purple food IMO. Hubster not so keen on Beetroot, which is fantastic as there is more for me
Haitch
Flim Flormally
- Location
- Netherlands
[QUOTE 3177452, member: 259"]Chioggia's lovely![/QUOTE]
Great place, and you can cycle from there to Venice.
Great place, and you can cycle from there to Venice.
Andy_R
Hard of hearing..I said Herd of Herring..oh FFS..
- Location
- County Durham
That's the stuff! I tried it at a cycle show a few years back and found it, um, intense but tolerable. But then I like beetroot!
Of the science, I got it wrong in that it's to do with nitrate levels in the blood rather than oxygen. The nitrate seemingly lessening the muscles' needs for oxygen thereby supposedly making them function more efficiently/longer on the oxygen they do get/need.
More on the science for those interested...
http://cyclingtips.com.au/2013/04/beetroot-juice-good-science-or-great-marketing-hype/
...nope, not convinced myself either
more here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28125279
gbb
Squire
- Location
- Peterborough
I used to work with a female who played squash at quite a high level, extremely fit, not an ounce of fat on her, she used to virtually live on beetroot, she was always boiling the stuff, apparently its very good for stamina etc.
I like beetroot sandwiches..
I like beetroot sandwiches..
roadrash
cycle chatterer
- Location
- sitting on the edge of wigan pier
I think beetroot should actually be a banned substance...... fekin orrible 
John Shingler
Guru
- Location
- Great Totham
I've done that ...I even went to the docs and had a sample sent off.
Spinney
Bimbleur extraordinaire
- Location
- Back up north
I've panicked too, but worked it out before I got as far as going to the doc's!
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