Vegan supplements made with high-quality beets are quickly becoming a staple for athletes and active individuals looking to boost performance and recovery. Among the many options available, beet supplements stand out as a versatile and effective way to support endurance, circulation, and overall energy levels. Whether you’re training for a long ride or simply want to recover faster after intense exercise, incorporating beet-based supplements into your routine can make a noticeable difference.
What are the benefits of beet supplements? Beet supplements improve nitric oxide production, which promotes healthier circulation, supports oxygen delivery to muscles, and helps reduce fatigue. They also contain betalains, pigments with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can aid in recovery, reduce muscle soreness, and optimize how your cells produce energy during exercise.
For athletes seeking the best sports performance supplement, beet-based options are particularly appealing because they deliver concentrated nutrients in a convenient form. From whole-food beet powders to specialized formulas designed as supplements for post-ride recovery, these products make it easy to experience the endurance, performance, and recovery benefits of beets without relying solely on raw vegetables.
Types of Beet Supplements and Their Benefits
| Type of Beet Supplement | Key Benefits | Ideal For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beet Powder | High in nitrates and betalains, supports nitric oxide production, promotes circulation, antioxidant support | Athletes, endurance exercisers, general wellness | Mixes easily in smoothies, juices, or water; convenient for daily use |
| Beet Capsules | Concentrated dosage of betalains, convenient, supports post-workout recovery | Busy athletes, travelers, those who prefer capsules | Provides a standardized amount per serving; plant-based and vegan |
| AltRed (Betalain Extract) | 25% betalain concentrate, optimized nitric oxide production, improves lactate threshold, faster post-training recovery, better aerobic performance | Competitive athletes, cyclists, triathletes, high-intensity training | Proprietary extraction increases bioavailability 1000% compared to standard beets; NSF Certified for Sport® and Informed Sport certified |
| Whole/Raw Beets | Natural source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber; improves circulation modestly | Anyone looking for whole-food nutrition | Nutrient loss can occur during cooking; requires preparation time |
The Secret Power of Beet Supplementation Over Raw Beets
Beets are a widely available root vegetable you can buy in most states year-round, with bright colors and a rich, earthy flavor that works well in salads, smoothies and juices. Eating more beets can boost your levels of important nutrients, including vitamin B2, folate, magnesium, and potassium, to name but a few.
The added value of a beet supplement is that you get a better concentration and access to potent compounds that occur naturally within beets that deteriorate during cooking. As a rough idea, one teaspoon of pure beet powder is equivalent to eating an entire beet, and taking plant-based, pure beet capsules further improves the ease with which you can introduce a beet supplement for circulation.
So, what is special about beets? The answer lies in the pigments that generate the rich red colors associated with the vegetable, which can help with everything from managing inflammation to augmenting stamina.
Why Add Beet Supplements to Your Diet?
Beets contain naturally high amounts of nitrates. These compounds help our bodies produce nitric oxide, which is a potent vasodilator. In everyday terms, that means it combats blood pressure and enables our blood vessels to relax.
Betalains, the colorful pigment, are also high in nitrogen, which supports overall better circulation. Optimal blood flow carries nutrients and oxygen to our brains and muscles faster, combining to deliver gains in exercise endurance, mental focus, and recovery after exertion.
These pigments contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which means that in addition to these benefits, they can also lower signs of inflammation at a cellular level and potentially safeguard cells from oxidative stress and damage.
What Are the Real-world Impacts of Taking Beet Supplements?
If, like most people, you're primarily interested in how a supplement can improve the way you feel, function, and perform, you'll see the benefits swiftly without necessarily needing to know the science behind it! Beet supplements may be the go-to supplement for you if you’d like to experience:
- Greater energy or prolonged endurance during workouts, busy schedules, or active days
- Faster recovery times, with the ability to train, study, or concentrate for longer before you feel fatigued and with reduced muscle soreness or tiredness
The right beet supplement for you may also depend on your goals. If, for example, you’d like to work on augmenting your blood pressure and circulation and want to feel more energized, Sur Nutrition's organic beetroot supplement may be ideal for you. Its vegan, non-GMO formula is designed to help you maintain healthy blood pressure, reduce tiredness, and enhance circulation while elevating your body's natural production of nitric oxide.
Alternatively, our AltRed sports-focused supplement is packed with betalains. It is produced with pure beet extract standardized to ensure that every capsule contains a 25% concentrate. Perfect for athletes and sports competitors, this offers a boost in your lactate acid threshold, expedited post-training recovery times, better aerobic performance, and improved endurance, owing to the increases in blood flow and circulation we’ve explored!