Nitric Oxide – we’ve all heard of it. Known to increase muscle vascularity and power output, NO is to be found in a wide variety of performance enhancement products for sport. Beet IT have taken a fresh approach by including Beetroot extract where NO is found naturally, rather than using synthetic analogues.
The Beet IT Sport Bar
Energy bars are a mainstay of both the hiking and fitness markets, with myriad supplement companies producing bars with sugars, slow release carbohydrates, creatine and nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is common in performance enhancement products as it is known to increase the blood supply (and therefore the energy output) of working muscles.
Ordinarily supplement manufacturers opt for a synthetically produced analogue to create the Nitric Oxide boost, such as the amino acid Arginine for example. These products work well, however taste and texture is often where they fall short thanks to the chalky texture and salty taste of most amino acid powders.
Beet-IT takes a novel approach to this by using beetroot extract which naturally includes nitric oxide. In addition to the highly concentrated beetroot extract, the 60g bar contains 30g of oats, which provide a low-GI source of slow release carbohydrate to keep the muscles fuelled. While many opt for high-GI sugar sources such as dextrose gels, some prefer the stable release of a low-GI source such as oats. The slower release does mean you can’t wait until you’re hitting “the wall” before consuming as you would with energy gels, but taken earlier the Beet IT bar will provide a more sustained energy boost without the crash.
Drenched in beetroot extract – 0.4 grams of dietary nitrate
One of the first thing’s you’ll notice when you tear open the bar is the rich, red beetroot colour and a fresh, fruity smell. This bar unsurprisingly has a beetroot taste, but the beetroot flavour is not as pronounced as you would expect. Those who find beetroot completely unpalatable should probably avoid. Even as someone who does not eat whole beetroot however, I found the taste very pleasant. The tart, fruity acidity contrasts nicely with the oats and the texture is a nice balance of soft but not chewy or crumbly. This makes a nice change from the usual flat taste and chalky/stodgy texture of protein bars. The fact that it isn’t crumbly or powdery also makes it a lot easier to eat on the move.
I have taken the bar both during hikes and as a pre-workout prior to intense weight training. I found the energy from the oats to be a great benefit. While there was a definite boost in “pump” or vascularity from the NO content, this was not as pronounced as from dedicated pre-workout supplements. This is to be expected from a natural product which is not loaded with powders however.
It is worth noting that the vascular effect is not for everyone. Climbers for example need to avoid excessive “pump” in their muscles to keep their grip strong and precise and their movements economical.
Overall my experience with this product was positive. The taste was fresh and natural and the use of oats rather than maltodextrin or glucose was suitably slow-release for my needs. If you’re looking for a sports bar with a bit of a boost which doesn’t taste chalky and isn’t packed with sugary rubbish, these are certainly worth a shot.
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Ed Benton
@HikersBlog
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