Debunking Nitric Oxide Myths
When it comes to nitric oxide, one of the most common claims you’ll hear is that “beets equal nitric oxide.” You’ve probably seen ads showing beet powders or beet drinks promising to boost circulation, improve workouts, or even solve blood pressure problems, all by providing nitric oxide.
It’s a catchy claim, but it’s also one of the biggest nitric oxide myths. Let’s break down where it comes from and why it’s misleading.
The Origin of the Beet Claim
Beets do contain naturally occurring compounds called nitrates. When everything in your body is working the way it should, those nitrates can be converted into nitric oxide, the molecule that supports healthy circulation and many other body functions.
That’s the science companies lean on when they market beet products as nitric oxide. But there’s a big gap between theory and reality.
How Much Nitrate Do You Need?
For beets to have any real effect on nitric oxide, you need at least 300–400mg of nitrate in a serving. That’s the threshold shown in research.
Here’s the catch: most beet powders and capsules sold today don’t come close to that. The most concentrated powders may only contain 5–9% nitrate. To reach 300–400mg, you’d have to take several thousand milligrams of beet powder every day, far more than what’s in a capsule or scoop.
If the math doesn’t add up, neither will the benefits.
The Role of Oral Bacteria and Stomach Acid
Even if a beet product did contain enough nitrate, your body still has to process it. This is where things get tricky.
- Step 1: Nitrate from food is concentrated in your saliva.
- Step 2: Bacteria in your mouth convert that nitrate into nitrite.
- Step 3: When you swallow, stomach acid helps turn nitrite into nitric oxide.
That means your oral bacteria and stomach acid have to be healthy and active for the process to work. But what happens if they aren’t?
- If you use antiseptic mouthwash or fluoride toothpaste that kills oral bacteria, the pathway doesn’t work.
- If you take antacids or acid blockers, your stomach can’t make the conversion.
Millions of Americans use these products every day, which means many people can’t actually turn beet nitrates into nitric oxide at all.
Other Problems With Beets
Beyond the math and the conversion process, beets come with other issues:
- They’re one of the least-liked vegetables worldwide.
- They contain oxalates, which can contribute to kidney stones in some people.
- They can cause urine and stool to turn red or pink, which can be alarming.
All told, beets are not an efficient or reliable way to boost nitric oxide.
The Bottom Line on Beets
Beets are a healthy vegetable, but they are not nitric oxide. Beet powders and capsules usually don’t contain enough nitrate to make a difference, and even when they do, your body has to be in perfect condition to process them.
That’s why this nitric oxide myth is so misleading. Eating beets is not harmful, but depending on them to improve nitric oxide production is a mistake.
I take this responsibility seriously. Nitric oxide is too important for health to be diluted by false claims or ineffective products. When companies market shortcuts that don’t work, it confuses consumers and damages trust in the science. Education is the best defense against that.
Supplements can support health, but the industry is crowded with products that don’t deliver what they promise, and in some cases don’t even contain what’s on the label. Nitric oxide is different: it isn’t something you can just package in a capsule. It must be generated within the body. That’s why our work at N1o1 is unique. Our products not only produce nitric oxide for you, they also help your body repair its own ability to make it again. This technology doesn’t exist anywhere else.
