Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Nutrition and Metabolism

Abstract

Background

Wrestling, characterized by high-intensity intermittent efforts, demands exceptional anaerobic power and recovery capacity. Nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BRJ), supplemented with vitamin C, has emerged as a potential ergogenic aid through increased nitric oxide bioavailability. However, limited data exists regarding its acute effects on anaerobic performance in combat sport athletes. This study investigated the acute effects of BRJ supplemented with vitamin C on upper- and lower-body anaerobic test performance and selected biochemical markers in collegiate wrestlers.

Methods

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 28 collegiate male wrestlers (18–24 years) consumed a single 250-ml BRJ drink (8.4 mmol nitrate + 90 mg vitamin C) or an isocaloric nitrate-free placebo three hours prior to testing, with a 14-day washout between conditions. Participants performed sequential 30-second upper- and lower-body Wingate anaerobic test (WAnTs) separated by 90 s. Venous blood was collected pre-test, immediately post-test, and 24 h post-test and was analyzed for blood glucose, creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).

Results

24 completed the study. BRJ+vitamin C significantly increased upper-body WAnT peak power (419 ± 98 W vs. 403 ± 103 W, P <  0.001) and lower-body WAnT mean power (390 ± 89 W vs. 376 ± 89 W, P = 0.002) compared with placebo. Post-exercise blood glucose was significantly lower in the BRJ + vitamin C group (96.3 ± 19.2 mg/dl vs. 112.5 ± 20.4 mg/dl, P <  0.001). No significant differences were observed for CK (P = 0.59) or LDH (P = 0.27) at any measured time point.

Conclusion

Acute BRJ + vitamin C supplementation improved anaerobic capacity and lowered post-exercise blood glucose in collegiate wrestlers, offering a potential ergogenic strategy for combat sports. Further studies with larger, diverse populations and chronic supplementation are needed to confirm and extend these findings.

Research Highlights

  • The Problem: Collegiate wrestlers require optimized anaerobic power and recovery for high-intensity intermittent efforts, but the acute effects of combined beetroot juice and vitamin C on sequential upper- and lower-body performance were previously underexplored. 

  • The Method: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial involved 28 male wrestlers (ages 18–24) who consumed 250 ml of beetroot juice containing 8.4 mmol nitrate and 90 mg vitamin C three hours prior to sequential 30-second upper- and lower-body Wingate anaerobic tests. 

  • Quantitative Finding: Supplementation significantly increased upper-body peak power to $419\pm98$ W compared to $403\pm103$ W in placebo ($P<0.001$); lower-body mean power increased to $390\pm89$ W versus $376\pm89$ W ($P=0.002$); post-exercise blood glucose was lower at $96.3\pm19.2$ mg/dl compared to $112.5\pm20.4$ mg/dl ($P<0.001$). 

  • Qualitative Finding: Acute co-supplementation serves as a potential ergogenic strategy to enhance explosive performance and attenuate exercise-induced hyperglycemia through increased nitric oxide bioavailability and antioxidant-mediated glucose uptake. 

  • Finding: No significant differences were observed for muscle damage markers creatine kinase ($P=0.59$) or lactate dehydrogenase ($P=0.27$) at any measured time point.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-026-01103-6

Publication Date

4-2026

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Download

Share

COinS