Nutrients, Vol. 17, Pages 3790: Can Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) Support Brain Health? A Perspective Review on Alzheimer’s Disease
Nutrients doi: 10.3390/nu17233790
Authors:
Rachel Kimble
Oliver M. Shannon
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, has limited treatment options despite extensive pharmacological research. This has increased interest in dietary strategies that act across multiple pathological mechanisms. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris), known for its cardiovascular and metabolic benefits, contains a distinctive combination of bioactive compounds including inorganic nitrate, betalains, and polyphenols. Together these constituents influence vascular function, oxidative stress, mitochondrial efficiency, inflammation, and the microbiota. Previous reviews have typically focused on dietary nitrate in dementia prevention or have examined nitrate and betalains separately. In contrast, this review synthesises evidence on beetroot as a combined neuroprotective food. Preclinical data indicate that beetroot and its key constituents enhance antioxidant defences, support neuronal bioenergetics, and modulate cholinergic and inflammatory pathways. Human studies further suggest that nitrate-rich beetroot can improve cerebral blood flow and vascular responsiveness, and that higher intakes of plant-derived nitrate are associated with reduced cognitive decline. However, findings are inconsistent, most trials are small and short in duration, and research directly involving people with AD is scarce. By integrating vascular, antioxidant, and microbiome perspectives, this review identifies beetroot as a promising yet underexplored dietary candidate for AD management. Further mechanistic studies and multidomain approaches combining metagenomics, biomarkers, neuroimaging, and cognitive outcomes are needed.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, has limited treatment options despite extensive pharmacological research. This has increased interest in dietary strategies that act across multiple pathological mechanisms. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris), known for its cardiovascular and metabolic benefits, contains a distinctive combination of bioactive compounds including inorganic nitrate, betalains, and polyphenols. Together these constituents influence vascular function, oxidative stress, mitochondrial efficiency, inflammation, and the microbiota. Previous reviews have typically focused on dietary nitrate in dementia prevention or have examined nitrate and betalains separately. In contrast, this review synthesises evidence on beetroot as a combined neuroprotective food. Preclinical data indicate that beetroot and its key constituents enhance antioxidant defences, support neuronal bioenergetics, and modulate cholinergic and inflammatory pathways. Human studies further suggest that nitrate-rich beetroot can improve cerebral blood flow and vascular responsiveness, and that higher intakes of plant-derived nitrate are associated with reduced cognitive decline. However, findings are inconsistent, most trials are small and short in duration, and research directly involving people with AD is scarce. By integrating vascular, antioxidant, and microbiome perspectives, this review identifies beetroot as a promising yet underexplored dietary candidate for AD management. Further mechanistic studies and multidomain approaches combining metagenomics, biomarkers, neuroimaging, and cognitive outcomes are needed. Read More