Beetroot for bone strength
A diet with relatively many sources of natural nitrate, such as beetroot, arugula, lettuce and spinach, increases the concentration of nitric oxide [NOx] in the blood. Athletes are now fully aware that such a diet can improve physical performance. A nitrate-rich diet may also keep bones strong as the years go by, suggests Japanese research. In February 2023, Japanese researchers published an epidemiological study involving 871 women. The researchers used data collected since 1993 in the Nagano Cohort Study. The average study participant was about 67 years old when the project started and could be followed for almost 9 years. When the study began, the researchers took samples of the women's urine and blood. In the course of the study, 267 women broke a bone. Results The more NOx was present in the women's blood, the lower their risk of a bone fracture. Mechanism The more NOx was present in the women's blood, the less type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptides [NTx] was in t...