Beetroot Juice for Missed Period

Overseen By Andrew R Coggan, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Indiana University

Must not be taking: Hormonal contraceptives, Antibiotics, Antacids, others

Disqualifiers: Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Pregnancy, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 2-3 hours

12 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if beetroot juice can help women who have stopped having periods due to factors like excessive exercise or stress. The focus is on whether the juice, containing nitrates that might enhance oxygen recovery and muscle power, can reverse these changes. Participants will drink either nitrate-rich beetroot juice or a placebo (a look-alike version without active ingredients). Women who have missed more than three consecutive periods in the last year may be suitable for this study. As an unphased trial, it offers participants a chance to contribute to understanding potential natural remedies for menstrual health.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

Yes, you will need to stop taking certain medications, including hormonal contraceptives, antibiotics, nicotine, proton pump inhibitors, antacids, xanthine oxidase inhibitors, and hormone replacement therapy, to participate in this trial.

Is there any evidence suggesting that beetroot juice is likely to be safe for humans?

Research has shown that beetroot juice is generally safe for most people. Studies have found it can help with high blood pressure and menstrual pain, indicating good tolerance among most individuals.

As a natural option rather than a medication, beetroot juice is popular due to its minimal side effects. In some studies, participants reported little to no negative effects after consumption.

Overall, beetroot juice appears to be a safe choice for those considering joining a trial. However, discussing any concerns with healthcare professionals before participating is important. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike standard treatments for missed periods, which often involve hormonal therapies, beetroot juice offers a natural alternative. This treatment is unique because it uses nitrate-rich beetroot juice, which may improve blood flow and support uterine function. Researchers are excited about beetroot juice as it taps into the body's natural processes without the side effects typically associated with hormonal treatments. The potential for a simple, dietary-based approach to managing missed periods is what makes this treatment particularly intriguing.

What evidence suggests that beetroot juice might be an effective treatment for missed periods?

This trial will compare nitrate-rich beetroot juice with a placebo to evaluate its effects on missed periods. Research has shown that beetroot juice might aid muscle strength and recovery due to its nitrate content. Nitrates can convert into nitric oxide in the body, potentially improving blood flow and oxygen delivery. Some studies suggest that drinking beetroot juice before exercise can enhance fitness, particularly in postmenopausal women. However, other research has found no benefits for endurance or recovery related to the menstrual cycle. The evidence on beetroot juice's effectiveness remains mixed, leaving its potential to help with missed periods by improving muscle strength and recovery uncertain. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Andrew R Coggan, PhD

Principal Investigator

Indiana University Indianapolis

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for women experiencing missed periods due to excessive exercise, eating disorders, stress, or hormonal imbalances. Participants should be currently facing secondary amenorrhea and are interested in exploring the effects of dietary nitrate found in beetroot juice.

Inclusion Criteria

Missed >3 consecutive periods in the last 12 months if previously regularly menstruating (average cycle 21-35 d) OR missed >6 consecutive periods in the last 12 months if previously irregularly menstruating (spontaneous menstruation, average cycle <21 or >35 d)

I am a woman aged between 18 and 44.

Exclusion Criteria

Weight instability for the past 3 months

Current nicotine user

I have epilepsy.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either nitrate-rich beetroot juice or nitrate-free beetroot juice

2-3 hours

Single visit for juice ingestion and monitoring

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for muscle function and plasma nitrate/nitrite levels after treatment

1-3 hours

Monitoring during and after treatment visit

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Beetroot Juice

Trial Overview The study investigates if drinking beetroot juice with nitrate can improve muscle power and oxygen recovery after exercise by boosting nitric oxide levels. Women will either receive the active beetroot juice or a placebo without nitrate to compare outcomes.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Nitrate Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Nitrate-rich beetroot juice

Group II: Placebo Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Nitrate-free beetroot juice

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Indiana University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,063

Recruited

1,182,000+

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-secondary-amenorrhea-6-2025-c5139

Beetroot Juice for Missed Period The purpose of this study is to determine whether ingestion of beetroot juice containing nitrate, an alternative source of nitric oxide, can help reverse these ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10713001/

Beetroot juice, exercise, and cardiovascular function in ... More than one-third of participants were unsatisfied or very dissatisfied with drinking BRJ every day and over half did not drink it at all.

3. womenshealthmag.com womenshealthmag.com/uk/food/a62984946/beetroot-juice-performance/

Research says beetroot juice doesn't improve ... New research finds that nitrate-rich beetroot juice has no benefits for endurance or recovery across different menstrual cycle phases.

4. ijhp.net ijhp.net/index.php/IJHP/article/download/280/292

Differences In The Effectiveness Of Date Juice And Beet ... Pregnant women before and after giving date juice, the majority showed an increase in hemoglobin. (HB) levels in 12 people (80%) and there was no increase in HB ...

5. physiology.org physiology.org/detail/news/2024/11/18/pre-workout-beetroot-juice-improves-fitness-gains-in-late-postmenopausal-women

Pre-Workout Beetroot Juice Improves Fitness Gains in Late ... Drinking beetroot juice before a workout could enhance the benefits of exercise training in postmenopausal women, according to new research.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10259228/

Effect of Beta vulgaris extracts on dysmenorrhea among ... The study concluded that Beta vulgaris juice found to be effective non-pharmacological measures to reduce dysmenorrheal among adolescent girls.

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06584331

Study Details | NCT06584331 | BEETROOT JUICE INTAKE ... The goal of this clinical trial is to verify the hemodynamic and biomarker responses of beetroot juice intake in postmenopausal women with hypertension.

8. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1359671/full

Seven-day dietary nitrate supplementation clinically ... Dietary intake of beetroot juice and other plant-based nitrate-rich foods is a promising non-pharmacological strategy for increasing systemic ...

9. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10712821/

Beetroot, watermelon and ginger juice supplementation ... The use of beetroot, watermelon and ginger juice may be considered a promising strategy for improving clinical outcomes in assisted reproductive technology ( ...