Faster after a sip of beet juice?

Movement scientist Lex Verdijk conducts research into improving sports performance. In collaboration with the Dutch sports organization NOC*NSF, among others, he investigated the use of beet juice in recent years. 'For the top athletes in endurance sports, beet juice is not going to make the difference,' he says. 'But for high-intensity sports, such as short track, short skating distances and track cycling, a beet shot might mean something. During one study, we saw that cyclists reached their top speed faster after taking beet juice than when they were given a placebo shot.' On such a short distance, that could well make a difference. 

Verdijk is currently in talks with NOC*NSF to translate the research results into specific advice for athletes who might benefit from the red stuff. 

Read more in (Dutch)  EOS Wetenschap