Beetroot Juice - Effects on Performance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

Beetroot Juice - Effects on Performance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

The purpose is to evaluate exercise performance in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) after supplementing with higher doses of dietary NO3-, compared to previous studies, as beetroot juice for seven days. The secondary purpose is to evaluate oxygen consumption of submaximal cycling, amendments in blood pressure, and physical activity level.

The purpose is to evaluate exercise performance in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) after supplementing with higher doses of dietary NO3- compared to previous studies, as beetroot juice for seven days. The secondary purpose is to evaluate oxygen consumption of submaximal cycling, amendments in blood pressure, and physical activity level.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Moderate-severe Chronics Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (FEV1 <80% of predicted).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Smoking,
• failure to complete physical testing,
• on-going participation in rehabilitation programs,
• pacemaker or use of nicotine products,
• oxygen mask,
• beta blockers,
• antibacterial mouthwash,
• chewing gum or stomach-neutralizing medicine during the intervention.