21 Nutritional Facts About Beets

2.  They Enhance Athletic Performance

Studies looking into beetroot juice in particular for athletic performance have found that it can raise nitric oxide levels and thereby enhance performance when running, cycling or engaging in any other form of cardiovascular exercise.

However, the studies have been somewhat mixed in their results and the reason for this – it seems – is that the impact is less profound on people who are already highly athletic.

In other words, if you or I were to consume beets then we would likely be able to run further and faster, but Mo Farrah might not notice as much of a difference.

This is good news for us norms though and especially those of us looking to lose some weight. Running and cycling is incredibly good for us and anything that helps you do more of it should be considered very positive indeed.