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GO Nitrate Shot 12 pack

The Science Behind The GO Nitrate Shot

Background of the Shot

The determinants of performance in endurance sports can be categorised as:

  • Lactate threshold (the point at which blood lactate increases above baseline levels)
  • Efficiency or economy (the oxygen required to produce a given running speed or cycling power output)

In populations with similar performance characteristics (VO2 max¬ and lactate threshold), efficiency is a better predictor of performance(1). Essentially, those who can expend less energy and use less oxygen at higher workloads are likely to perform better.

Supplementing with sports nutrition products rich in nitrates can have a direct impact on efficiency and, as a result, improve performance.

What does the research say?

Ingested nitrates are reduced to nitrite and nitric oxide on the tongue, in the stomach, within circulation, and in the muscle(2). As nitric oxide is important in several processes that may support or enhance exercise performance, it is perhaps this nitrate-to-nitrite-to-nitric oxide journey that is crucial when considering the performance-enhancing capacity of nitrate supplementation. Following intake, blood nitrate concentration peaks after 1-2 hours and blood nitrite peaks after 2-3 hours(2). The body stores of nitrate and nitrite may also be increased through dietary intake(2, 3).

Short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) nitrate supplementation strategies may enhance performance, with chronic strategies perhaps providing greater benefit(4, 5, 6, 7, 8). In addition, emerging evidence may provide a rationale for nitrate ingestion during exercise(9).

Using a combination of chronic loading, an acute dose, and intra-session intake, plasma nitrate was significantly elevated after 90 minutes, and plasma nitrite was significantly elevated after 120 minutes of riding when compared to chronic and acute dosing only(9). This elevated plasma nitrate and nitrite attenuated the rise in oxygen uptake from 30-120 minutes compared to placebo, resulting in a reduced oxygen cost of exercise for those using nitrates during exercise(9).

The GO Nitrates Shot

The GO Nitrate shot is scientifically formulated to deliver an optimal dosage of nitrate, supporting key aspects of physical performance, including sustained endurance and high-intensity sprint efforts.  The shot uses Beetroot Juice Concentrate and Amaranthus Leaf Extract as a unique source of nitrates, providing a superior taste profile and delivering a higher nitrate dose compared to anything else on the market.

  • Provides 500mg nitrates per shot 
  • Formulated from Beetroot Juice Concentrate and Amaranthus Leaf Extract  

Take Home Messages

  • Supplementing with nitrates can improve running economy or cycling efficiency by reducing the oxygen cost of exercise.
  • Chronic loading can further enhance performance compared to just pre-race strategies, taking upwards of 1000mg nitrate per day for 3-7 days prior to a competition.
  • For prolonged endurance events, consuming an additional GO Nitrate Shot during exercise may help sustain elevated plasma nitrite concentrations, thereby prolonging the associated physiological benefits. 
References
  1. Saunders, P. U., Pyne, D. B., Telford, R. D., & Hawley, J. A. (2004). Factors affecting running economy in trained distance runners. Sports Medicine, 34(7), 465-485.
  2. Jones, A. M. (2014). Dietary nitrate supplementation and exercise performance. Sports medicine, 44(1), 35-45.
  3. Nyakayiru, J., van Loon, L. C., & Verdijk, L. (2020). Could intramuscular storage of dietary nitrate contribute to its ergogenic effect? A mini-review. Free Radical Biology and Medicine.
  4. Lansley, K. E., Winyard, P. G., Bailey, S. J., Vanhatalo, A., Wilkerson, D. P., Blackwell, J. R., Gilchrist, M., Benjamin, N., & Jones, A. M. (2011). Acute dietary nitrate supplementation improves cycling time trial performance. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 43(6), 1125-1131.
  5. Jones, A. M., Thompson, C., Wylie, L. J., & Vanhatalo, A. (2018). Dietary nitrate and physical performance. Annual Review of Nutrition, 38, 303-328.
  6. Maughan, R. J., Burke, L. M., Dvorak, J., Larson-Meyer, D. E., Peeling, P., Phillips, S. M., … & Meeusen, R. (2018). IOC consensus statement: dietary supplements and the high-performance athlete. International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism, 28(2), 104-125.
  7. Larsen, F. J., Schiffer, T. A., Borniquel, S., Sahlin, K., Ekblom, B., Lundberg, J. O., & Weitzberg, E. (2011). Dietary inorganic nitrate improves mitochondrial efficiency in humans. Cell metabolism, 13(2), 149-159.
  8. McMahon, N. F., Leveritt, M. D., & Pavey, T. G. (2017). The effect of dietary nitrate supplementation on endurance exercise performance in healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 47(4), 735-756.
  9. Tan, R., Wylie, L. J., Thompson, C., Blackwell, J. R., Bailey, S. J., Vanhatalo, A., & Jones, A. M. (2018). Beetroot juice ingestion during prolonged moderate-intensity exercise attenuates the progressive rise in O2 uptake. Journal of Applied Physiology, 124(5), 1254-1263.