Surprise: Beets Are Also Great for Your Lungs

Welcome to this special edition of Ask Dr. Cohen, where we explore the lesser-known benefits of beets. You already know that beets are a powerhouse for nitric oxide, energy, stamina, and cardiovascular health—but new research shows they’re also powerful allies for your lungs.

Want the full science? Download the POWER OF BEETS PDF for free.

How Do Beets Support Lung Function?

As we age, the diaphragm—the primary respiratory muscle—weakens. This decline can cause breathing troubles, impaired airway clearance, and a lower quality of life. Beet nitrates, by boosting nitric oxide levels, improve muscle contraction in the diaphragm and enhance oxygen delivery, making breathing easier and more efficient.

A University of Florida study confirmed this: older mice given sodium nitrate for 14 days showed significant increases in diaphragm force and peak power, equivalent to stronger breathing function in humans. This research suggests beets may support older adults, athletes, and even patients recovering from respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.

Other Science-Backed Benefits of Beets

Beyond lung support, beets remain one of the most studied natural performance enhancers. Research shows that beets can:

• Lower blood pressure: Drinking beet juice can reduce systolic blood pressure within hours, thanks to dietary nitrates that relax and dilate blood vessels.
• Boost stamina: Athletes drinking beet juice pre-exercise extended workout duration by up to 16%.
• Fight inflammation: Betaine and betalains in beets reduce inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and TNF-alpha.
• Stave off cancer: Deep red phytonutrients in beets show anti-tumor effects in animal models and are under study in humans.
• Provide essential nutrients: Vitamin C, folate, potassium, manganese, fiber, and unique antioxidants make beets a nutrient-dense food.
• Support detoxification: Betalain pigments aid the liver’s Phase 2 detox process, helping the body excrete toxins.

Nitrates in Foods: Why Beets Are Superior

Nearly 80% of dietary nitrates come from vegetables. Beets top the list, providing over 250 mg per 100 g. Unlike nitrates from processed meats, plant-based nitrates are paired with antioxidants (vitamin C, polyphenols), which ensure safe conversion into nitric oxide instead of harmful nitrosamines.

Other high-nitrate vegetables include arugula, celery, fennel, and mustard greens, but beets remain the most concentrated, research-backed source for performance and health.

Enjoy Beets Your Way

At PureClean Performance, we’ve developed five formulas to deliver the power of beets for different preferences and goals:

• SPARQ™ – our most powerful formula for stamina, strength, and nitric oxide.
• PureClean Powder™ – 100% organic beet juice powder rich in betalains.
• UnBeetABrew™ – beet + mushroom coffee for health and performance.
• BeetUMs™ – delicious beet-infused chocolate chews.
• ChocoBerry Blast™ – beet + berry + cacao superfood smoothie booster.

About Dr. Rick Cohen

Dr. Rick Cohen, creator of PureClean Performance®, has worked at the forefront of nutritional medicine and sports performance for over two decades. With a background from Duke University and Hahnemann Medical University, he has helped thousands enhance athletic recovery, performance, and resilience through natural, science-backed protocols.

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