Beet Juice Helps Sustain Mental Clarity

The separation of winners from losers may come down to quick and accurate-decision making. As time during competition increases, the ability to think clearly may decrease. Increasing blood flow to the brain helps shuttle in oxygen and nutrients for clearer thinking.

Studies that found an improvement in sprint performance also tested cognitive function of the athletes during the second half of the bike test. The athletes completed cognitive tests to evaluate accuracy and speed at making decisions. They found that beetroot juice slowed down the decline in mental clarity commonly experienced during prolonged exercise.

THE RESULTS FOR BEETROOT JUICE DRINKERS:
• Shorter reaction time during the second half of the test (817 ± 118 ms for beetroot juice vs. 847 ± 118 ms for placebo)
• Improved reaction time of 3% for beetroot juice drinkers between first and second half of the tests
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Accurate decision-making is critical for team sport performance. Fatigue causes athletes to lose mental clarity as the game progresses. This impacts reaction time and the ability to make the right decision when the game is on the line. Enhancing blood flow to the brain increases the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain. This can help maintain optimal reaction time.