The effects of beetroot and nitrate supplementation on body composition: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of beetroot (BR) or nitrate supplements on body composition indices. A systematic search was conducted for randomised controlled trials (RCT) published up to August 2022 among online databases including Scopus, PubMed/Medline, Web of Science and Embase. Meta-analyses were carried out using a random-effects model. The I index was used to assess the heterogeneity of RCT. A total of twelve RCT met the inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis. The pooled effect size of included studies indicated that BR or nitrate supplementation did not change body weight (weighted mean differences (WMD): -0·14 kg, 95 % CI -1·22, 1·51; = 0·836; I = 0 %), BMI (WMD: -0·07 kg/m, 95 % CI -0·19,0·03; = 0·174, I = 0 %), fat mass (WMD: -0·26 kg, 95 % CI -1·51, 0·98; = 0·677, I = 0 %), waist circumference (WMD: -0·28 cm, 95 % CI -2·30, 1·74; = 0·786, I = 0 %), body fat percentage (WMD: 0·18 %, 95 % CI -0·62, 0·99; = 0·651, I = 0 %), fat-free mass (WMD: 0·31 kg, 95 % CI -0·31, 1·94; = 0·703, I = 0 %) and waist-to-hip ratio (WMD: 0, 95 % CI -0·01, 0·02; = 0·676, I = 0 %). Subgroup analyses based on trial duration, BR or nitrate dose, study design, baseline BMI and athletic status (athlete . non-athlete) demonstrated similar results. Certainty of evidence across outcomes ranged from low to moderate. This meta-analysis study suggests that BR or nitrate supplements cannot efficiently ameliorate body composition indices regardless of supplement dosage, trial duration and athletic status.