Post-menopauseBEETBOOSTNCT07572877
Beetroot Juice: a Natural Aid for Boosting the Health Benefits of Exercise in Post-menopausal Women?
A study testing Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) & Supervised Exercise Training in people with Post-menopause, run by Western Norway University of Applied Sciences at 1 site in Norway.
Trial summary
Menopause and ageing bring several changes to women's health, partly due to a decline in the hormone estrogen. This reduction affects multiple systems in the body, including muscles and bones, and also influences the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that plays a key role in regulating blood flow and blood… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 50 to 70 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Post-menopause
- What is being tested?
- Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) & Supervised Exercise Training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteNorway
- Study dates
- 11 Feb 2026to 1 Jan 2033
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 50 to 70 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Self-reported biological female and postmenopausal (≥12 months of amenorrhea)
- Aged 50-70 years
- Body mass index (BMI) 25-39.9 kg/m²
- No contraindications to exercise
- Physically inactive (<150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity activity)
- Able to walk on a treadmill and ambulate without limitations
- Adequate proficiency in Norwegian to complete questionnaires
- Willingness and ability to comply with the study schedule and visits
Who cannot join
- Known allergy to nitrates or beetroot juice
- Current smoker or use of nicotine/tobacco products
- Resting blood pressure <90/60 mmHg
- Hypertension greater than stage II (≥160/100 mmHg, ESH criteria)
- Use of prescription medications affecting heart rate (e.g., systemic β-adrenergic blockers) or nitrate availability (e.g., nitrates, proton pump inhibitors)
- History of cardiovascular disease (e.g., myocardial infarction, stroke, ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease, valvular disease, or aortic aneurysm)
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- Symptoms suggestive of heart disease (e.g., chest pain or dyspnea)
- Major metabolic disease (e.g., type 1 or type 2 diabetes) or thyroid disorders
- Recent cancer diagnosis or treatment (within the past 5 years)
- Significant orthopedic limitations or other contraindications to exercise
- Diagnosed cognitive impairment
- Planned travel or elective surgery that would interfere with adherence to the intervention
- Psychological or social factors that may interfere with study participation
- Residing beyond a reasonable distance from the study site (logistical constraints)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Norway1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
Bergen, 5063
Ann-Katrin Grotle, PhD, +4790960580, ann-katrin.grotle@hvl.no
Brit Jorun Liseth, MSc, +4790013513, brit.jorun.fossan.liseth@hvl.no
About this study
Menopause and ageing bring several changes to women's health, partly due to a decline in the hormone estrogen. This reduction affects multiple systems in the body, including muscles and bones, and also influences the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that plays a key role in regulating blood flow and blood pressure. An reduced ability to produce nitric oxide is associated with higher blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Many women also experience lower levels of physical activity and changes in body composition during midlife, such as increased body fat and reduced muscle mass and strength, which may further decrease exercise capacity.
Read more
This PhD project investigates whether a simple, natural strategy, combining exercise with beetroot juice, can help postmenopausal women achieve greater benefits from exercise. Beetroot juice is naturally rich in nitrates, which the body can convert into nitric oxide, thereby enhancing blood flow. Exercise itself also stimulates nitric oxide production, and together these approaches may have additive or even synergistic effects.
The study examines whether consuming beetroot juice before exercise can enhance training adaptations and health outcomes in postmenopausal women. Key outcomes include cardiovascular function, body composition, musculoskeletal function, and aerobic capacity.
Some evidence suggests that beetroot juice may amplify the body's response to exercise, which could be particularly beneficial for postmenopausal women, who often face greater barriers to physical activity. By exploring this combined approach, the project aims to evaluate a safe, non-pharmacological strategy to improve physical function and overall health in women after menopause.
Read the detailed description
Menopause and ageing are associated with significant changes in women's health, partly due to the decline in estrogen production. Estrogen contributes to the regulation of cardiovascular function and metabolism, as well as the maintenance of musculoskeletal health, in part by stimulating nitric oxide (NO) production, a key signalling molecule involved in vascular function. Ageing per se is also linked to reduced NO bioavailability, meaning that postmenopausal women may experience a combined decline driven by both lower estrogen levels and age-related physiological changes. Together, these factors are associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic dysfunction, reduced exercise tolerance, and potential declines in quality of life.
This PhD project examines a non-pharmacological approach: the combination of beetroot juice (BRJ) supplementation and exercise (BRJ+EX). Both BRJ and exercise can enhance NO production through different pathways, which may result in additive effects. This approach may be relevant for postmenopausal women, in whom both estrogen-related and age-related NO production are reduced.
The study will investigate whether BRJ+EX can influence exercise-induced adaptations, including changes in cardiometabolic health, body composition, musculoskeletal function, and exercise tolerance, compared with placebo beetroot juice combined with exercise (BRJplacebo+EX). Some recent evidence suggests that BRJ ingestion prior to combined exercise training may enhance certain training responses, which could be particularly relevant for postmenopausal women who may experience barriers to exercise. Thus, building on this evidence, this study aim to test the hypothesis that pre-workout ingestion of BRJ enhances exercise adaptions in post-menopausal women comprehensively.
Furthermore, given the lack of information on the impact of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), this study also aim to explore whether HRT modulates exercise adaptions by also including women taking HRT.
Overall, this project aims to contribute to the evidence base on non-pharmacological approaches to supporting health and physical function in postmenopausal women.
- Conditions
- Post-menopause
- Being tested
- Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) & Supervised Exercise Training
- Keywords
- exercise, beetroot juice, strength training, endurance training, cardiometabolic health, muscleskeletal function, exercise performance, body composition
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) & Supervised Exercise TrainingDietary supplement
Intervention includes 3 sessions per week of combined strength and resistance exercise. Two of the sessions are supervised, while the third session is unsupervised-home-based.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrate rich | Experimental | Not described Receives: Dietary Supplement: Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) & Supervised Exercise Training |
| Nitrate depleted | Placebo comparator | Not described Receives: Dietary Supplement: Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) & Supervised Exercise Training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Maximal oxygen uptake
Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) will be measured using a standardized incremental exercise test to volitional exhaustion on a cycle ergometer, with continuous analysis of expired gases (indirect calorimetry). VO₂max will be determined as the highest VO₂ value achieved during the test and reported as ml/min and ml/kg/min. Validity of test will be determined based on established criteria such as a plateau in oxygen uptake despite increasing workload, a respiratory exchange ratio above a predefined threshold (e.g., ≥1.10), and/or attainment of age-predicted maximal heart rate. When a clear plateau is not observed, the highest recorded VO₂ (VO₂peak) will be reported.
Measured: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Secondary outcomes (5)
Skeletal muscle strength
Maximal upper- and lower-body strength will be determined using a Keiser pneumatic leg press and chest press machine as well as handgrip dynamometer using standardized protocols. Maximal strength for will be defined as the highest load achieved and will be reported in kilograms (kg).
Measured: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Exercise economy
Exercise economy will be assessed during a standardized incremental lactate threshold test using indirect calorimetry. Oxygen consumption (VO₂) will be measured during submaximal exercise stages below the lactate threshold, and exercise economy will be defined as the steady-state oxygen cost at a given absolute workload. Exercise economy will be reported as oxygen consumption relative to workload (e.g., mL·kg-¹·min-¹ or L·min-¹ at a standardized power output or speed), with lower oxygen cost indicating better exercise economy.
Measured: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Lean mass
Lean mass changes will be assessed using validated body composition analysis methods, including dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), according to site-specific standard operating procedures. Measurements will be performed at baseline and after 12 weeks of exercise training under standardized conditions. Total and regional lean mass will be measured and reported in kilograms and % of total mass.
Measured: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Resting blood pressure
Resting blood pressure control will be assessed after >15 minutes of supine rest under standardized condition by measuring systolic and diastolic blood pressure five times during a 10 minute resting period, with at least one minute between measurements. A validated automated device will be used. The average of five systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements will be used for reporting and is reported in mmHg.
Measured: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Blood pressure reactivity
Blood pressure reactivity will be assessed as the change in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in response to standardized stress tasks (e.g., isometric handgrip exercise and cold pressor test). Reactivity will be quantified as the difference between resting baseline MAP and peak MAP achieved during each stress task and will be reported in mmHg.
Measured: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 May 2026
- Study start11 Feb 2026
- Primary completion1 Jan 2030 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Jan 2033 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Post-menopauseStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ann-Katrin Grotle, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
- Investigators
- Ann-Katrin Grotle, PhD, Principal investigator, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07572877
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AKGrotle
- Acronym
- BEETBOOST
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 19 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 13 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Beetroot Juice: a Natural Aid for Boosting the Health Benefits of Exercise in Post-menopausal Women?
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07572877
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- BEETBOOST / AKGrotle
- Conditions
- Post-menopause
- Keywords
- exercise, beetroot juice, strength training, endurance training, cardiometabolic health, muscleskeletal function, exercise performance, body composition
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Western Norway University of Applied SciencesUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 11 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jan 2030 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Jan 2033 (estimated)
- First posted
- 7 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Menopause and ageing bring several changes to women's health, partly due to a decline in the hormone estrogen. This reduction affects multiple systems in the body, including muscles and bones, and also influences the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that plays a key role in regulating blood flow and blood pressure. An reduced ability to produce nitric oxide is associated with higher blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Many women also experience lower levels of physical activity and changes in body composition during midlife, such as increased body fat and reduced muscle mass and strength, which may further decrease exercise capacity.
This PhD project investigates whether a simple, natural strategy, combining exercise with beetroot juice, can help postmenopausal women achieve greater benefits from exercise. Beetroot juice is naturally rich in nitrates, which the body can convert into nitric oxide, thereby enhancing blood flow. Exercise itself also stimulates nitric oxide production, and together these approaches may have additive or even synergistic effects.
The study examines whether consuming beetroot juice before exercise can enhance training adaptations and health outcomes in postmenopausal women. Key outcomes include cardiovascular function, body composition, musculoskeletal function, and aerobic capacity.
Some evidence suggests that beetroot juice may amplify the body's response to exercise, which could be particularly beneficial for postmenopausal women, who often face greater barriers to physical activity. By exploring this combined approach, the project aims to evaluate a safe, non-pharmacological strategy to improve physical function and overall health in women after menopause.
Detailed description
Menopause and ageing are associated with significant changes in women's health, partly due to the decline in estrogen production. Estrogen contributes to the regulation of cardiovascular function and metabolism, as well as the maintenance of musculoskeletal health, in part by stimulating nitric oxide (NO) production, a key signalling molecule involved in vascular function. Ageing per se is also linked to reduced NO bioavailability, meaning that postmenopausal women may experience a combined decline driven by both lower estrogen levels and age-related physiological changes. Together, these factors are associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic dysfunction, reduced exercise tolerance, and potential declines in quality of life.
This PhD project examines a non-pharmacological approach: the combination of beetroot juice (BRJ) supplementation and exercise (BRJ+EX). Both BRJ and exercise can enhance NO production through different pathways, which may result in additive effects. This approach may be relevant for postmenopausal women, in whom both estrogen-related and age-related NO production are reduced.
The study will investigate whether BRJ+EX can influence exercise-induced adaptations, including changes in cardiometabolic health, body composition, musculoskeletal function, and exercise tolerance, compared with placebo beetroot juice combined with exercise (BRJplacebo+EX). Some recent evidence suggests that BRJ ingestion prior to combined exercise training may enhance certain training responses, which could be particularly relevant for postmenopausal women who may experience barriers to exercise. Thus, building on this evidence, this study aim to test the hypothesis that pre-workout ingestion of BRJ enhances exercise adaptions in post-menopausal women comprehensively.
Furthermore, given the lack of information on the impact of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), this study also aim to explore whether HRT modulates exercise adaptions by also including women taking HRT.
Overall, this project aims to contribute to the evidence base on non-pharmacological approaches to supporting health and physical function in postmenopausal women.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrate rich | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) & Supervised Exercise Training |
| Nitrate depleted | Placebo comparator | Dietary Supplement: Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) & Supervised Exercise Training |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 50 to 70 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Self-reported biological female and postmenopausal (≥12 months of amenorrhea)
- Aged 50-70 years
- Body mass index (BMI) 25-39.9 kg/m²
- No contraindications to exercise
- Physically inactive (<150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity activity)
Key exclusion criteria (14 listed)
- Known allergy to nitrates or beetroot juice
- Current smoker or use of nicotine/tobacco products
- Resting blood pressure <90/60 mmHg
- Hypertension greater than stage II (≥160/100 mmHg, ESH criteria)
- Use of prescription medications affecting heart rate (e.g., systemic β-adrenergic blockers) or nitrate availability (e.g., nitrates, proton pump inhibitors)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) & Supervised Exercise TrainingIntervention includes 3 sessions per week of combined strength and resistance exercise. Two of the sessions are supervised, while the third session is unsupervised-home-based. | Dietary supplement | Nitrate depleted, Nitrate rich |
Primary outcome
Maximal oxygen uptake
Time frame: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) will be measured using a standardized incremental exercise test to volitional exhaustion on a cycle ergometer, with continuous analysis of expired gases (indirect calorimetry). VO₂max will be determined as the highest VO₂ value achieved during the test and reported as ml/min and ml/kg/min. Validity of test will be determined based on established criteria such as a plateau in oxygen uptake despite increasing workload, a respiratory exchange ratio above a predefined threshold (e.g., ≥1.10), and/or attainment of age-predicted maximal heart rate. When a clear plateau is not observed, the highest recorded VO₂ (VO₂peak) will be reported.
5 secondary outcomes
Skeletal muscle strength
Time frame: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Exercise economy
Time frame: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Lean mass
Time frame: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Resting blood pressure
Time frame: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Blood pressure reactivity
Time frame: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 May 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Ann-Katrin Grotle, PhD principal investigator
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Beetroot Juice (Beet-It Stamina Shot) & Supervised Exercise Training in people with Post-menopause, run by Western Norway University of Applied Sciences at 1 site in Norway.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 14 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Norway. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Ann-Katrin Grotle, PhD (+4790960580, ann-katrin.grotle@hvl.no), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Maximal oxygen uptake (time frame: Before and after 12 weeks of intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 May 2026.