# Beetroot Juice Added Nothing to 12 Weeks of Strength Training in Older Adults

_Evidence Level: Preliminary · Mueller BJ et al., European journal of applied physiology, DOI 10.1007/s00421-026-06460-x_

*The effects of chronic beetroot juice supplementation with resistance training on skeletal muscle mitochondrial and redox markers in middle-aged and older adults.*

- **Evidence Level**: Preliminary
- **Why this grade**: Small randomized placebo-controlled trial of 27 adults over 12 weeks, with limited power to detect modest effects.
- **Facts**: Duration: 12 weeks · Funding: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
- **Publication Types**: Journal Article
- **Journal**: European journal of applied physiology
- **Sample Size**: 27 middle-aged and older adults (average age 56)
- **Authors**: Mueller BJ, McIntosh MC, Tiede DR, Anglin DA, Kontos GJ, Lewis DT, Goodlett MD, Frugé AD, Mobley CB, Judd RL, Beck DT, Roberts MD, Kavazis AN
- **Graded and published**: 2026-10-03
- **Last edited**: 2026-10-05
- **Topics**: Strength Training, Nitrates, Muscle
- **DOI**: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-026-06460-x
- **Free full text**: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11687826/
- **Original Source**: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42829363/

## Summary

Daily nitrate-rich beetroot juice, a popular workout booster, did not add anything to the gains people got from strength training. In 27 middle-aged and older adults lifting twice weekly for 12 weeks, half drank real beet juice and half a nitrate-free version. Training alone raised muscle mitochondria (the cell's power plants) and leg strength, so the lifting did the heavy work. The group was small, so modest effects of the juice could have been missed.

## Practical Takeaway

This study suggests beetroot juice may not add benefits on top of regular strength training.

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