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Effects of Beetroot Extract on Blood Pressure and Exercise in Hypertensive Older Women

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the acute effects of beetroot extract in older women with high blood pressure. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does beetroot extract affect blood pressure during exercise? Does it change oxygen levels in the muscles? Participants will take a beetroot supplement and perform an aerobic exercise session to check how their bodies respond.

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT07444138

PhaseNA

Enrollment20

SponsorSão Paulo State University

Age60 Years

SexFEMALE

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Conditions studied

Hypertension, Hypertension (HTN)

About this study

Interventions

Dietary Supplement: Beetroot Extract (Nitrate-rich) — Participants will ingest 2 capsules of a standardized beetroot extract (Berkeley Life Nitric Oxide Foundation). Each dose provides approximately 314 mg of dietary nitrate.
Dietary Supplement: Placebo — Capsules identical in appearance, color, and size to the experimental supplement, but containing an inert substance (starch). This intervention is used to maintain the double-blind design of the study.
Behavioral: Exercise — Participants will perform a single aerobic exercise session on a treadmill. The protocol consists of a 7-minute warm-up followed by 30 minutes of continuous exercise at an intensity corresponding to 60-80% of maximum heart rate (HRmax), estimated using Tanaka's formula (208 - 0.7 \* age). Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) will be monitored periodically using the Borg scale (6-20).
Other: Rest (Control Condition) — Participants will remain seated for 30 minutes (matching the exercise session duration). During this time, a researcher will administer a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) in an interview format. This activity serves to assess dietary habits and simulates a routine, low-exertion daily activity (similar to a conversation), acting as a time-matched control for the exercise session.

Primary outcomes

Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure (Baseline (Rest), during intervention (at 10 and 20 minutes), immediately post-intervention (at 30 minutes), and 10 minutes post-intervention recovery.)

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * Female sex: Older women aged between 60 and 70 years. * Physical capability: Absence of health conditions that could compromise performance in the required physical exercise tests. Exclusion Criteria: * Smoking: Current smokers. * Alcohol use: History of alcohol abuse or excessive alcohol consumption. * Cardiovascular Disease: Diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases (other than the primary condition of hypertension).

Study locations

São Paulo State University (UNESP), Bauru, São Paulo 17011-041 Brazil

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.