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Can diabetics drink SuperBeets?

Blood sugar-wise, a serving of SuperBeets contains just 4 grams of carbohydrate, which is minimal, so it's not expected to have any effect on your blood sugars (of course, be sure to mix it with water).

diabetesselfmanagement.com - Can Diabetics Take SuperBeets?

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You may not be a big fan of eating beets, but if you’ve been watching television lately, you may have seen ads for a supplement called SuperBeets. This supplement is intended to lower blood pressure, improve circulation, support respiratory health, and give you an energy boost. But does it deliver? Is it safe? Read on to learn more.

Beets and nitric oxide — what’s the connection?

Nitric oxide (NO) is a compound in the body that helps to dilate (widen) blood vessels. When blood vessels are expanded, blood flow is increased and blood pressure is decreased. There’s evidence that as people get older, the amount of NO produced by the body declines. An article published in 2011 in the Journal of Geriatric Cardiology states that “insufficient NO production is associated with all major cardiovascular risk factors, such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, smoking and severity of atherosclerosis.” It’s also linked with the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. To get cutting-edge diabetes news, strategies for blood glucose management, nutrition tips, healthy recipes, and more delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our free newsletters! Athletes and serious exercisers may take supplements that increase NO to help boost performance, increase duration of exercise, and recover more quickly after exercise. The evidence around these claims is somewhat mixed, however. Where do beets come in? Beets contain natural substances called nitrates. The body converts these nitrates to NO. Beetroot juice, or beet juice, is juice made from the root part of the beet plant, and some people drink this juice for health reasons and/or to improve athletic performance. Beets can also be dried and ground into a powder; beet powder contains higher concentrations of nutrients founds in beets, including fiber, folate, vitamin C, manganese, and potassium, as well as antioxidants.

What is SuperBeets?

SuperBeets is a dietary supplement made from beets that are dehydrated into crystals and flavored with a black cherry flavoring. The manufacturer, Human Power of N, has a line of SuperBeets products, including the original SuperBeets (powder and chews), SuperBeets Energy Plus that contains caffeine, SuperBeets Collagen intended to help support healthy skin, and SuperBeets Immune that contains a yeast beta glucan intended to support immune health. Human Power of N calls beets “one of nature’s most potent superfoods” but notes that you would need to eat a lot of beets in order to experience the NO benefits. And one teaspoon of SuperBeets crystals provides the “functional benefit of 40 teaspoons of fresh beets.” According to the product website, the team behind SuperBeets includes scientists from a variety of specialties, including a world-leading NO researcher and one of the world’s top sports nutrition scientists.

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According to Human Power of N’s website, the SuperBeets crystals are intended to:

Support healthy blood pressure levels

Support healthy circulation and blood flow

Support heart health

The directions are to “mix one concentrated teaspoon with four ounces of water and enjoy it as a quick, refreshing drink.” Each cannister contains a one-month supply (thirty servings). Nutrition-wise, one teaspoon of the crystals contains:

15 calories

0 grams of fat

4 grams of carbohydrate

3 grams of sugar

1 gram of protein

65 milligrams (mg) of sodium

160 mg of potassium

10 mg of magnesium

50 mg of vitamin C

The website also notes that, “It may take up to 30 days for you to feel a difference, but many people report feeling a difference in energy and stamina within the first week.”

Do SuperBeets work?

The purported claims about SuperBeets are based on research with beetroot juice. There is evidence that beetroot juice, which is a key source of nitrates, can lower blood pressure. For example, a review article in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition that looked at seven studies using beetroot juice in people with hypertension (high blood pressure) concluded that NO derived from beetroot juice lowered systolic blood pressure (the top number) but not diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number). Other studies indicate that beetroot juice “could be an easy, accessible, safe, and evidence-based strategy to reduce blood pressure,” per a 2018 article in the journal Biomolecules. A study funded by the makers of SuperBeets looked at 13 healthy adults who took a serving of the crystals daily for four weeks; systolic blood pressure was reduced. Not surprisingly, a number of customer reviews (testimonials) on the company’s website report that blood pressure was reduced, but other customers have noted no change in blood pressure. Some customers have reported an improvement in energy levels and an improvement in athletic performance.

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Should you take SuperBeets?

You might be tempted to give this supplement a try, especially if you have high blood pressure, which is common in people who have diabetes, or feel like your energy level is lacking. The supplement appears to be safe, but unfortunately it’s hard to find any mention of potential side effects or cautions about taking SuperBeets on the company’s website. As with any dietary supplement, it’s best to check with your health care provider first if you’re considering trying SuperBeets, especially if you take blood-pressure-lowering medication or if you are prone to developing kidney stones. You might notice that SuperBeets can cause your urine or stool to appear pink or red, called beeturia. This is a harmless reaction caused by eating beets. However, red-appearing urine or stools can also signify a possible health problem, so if you are concerned or if you have symptoms, as well, let your health care provider know. Blood sugar-wise, a serving of SuperBeets contains just 4 grams of carbohydrate, which is minimal, so it’s not expected to have any effect on your blood sugars (of course, be sure to mix it with water). Finally, consider the cost of this supplement: a starter package, which includes a canister of the crystals along with a SuperBeets Heart Chews, costs $39.95. If you subscribe, you’ll pay $34.95 for the canister every month.

To learn more, visit the Human Power of N website.

Want to learn more about eating well? Read “Strategies for Healthy Eating,” “Improving Your Recipes: One Step at a Time,” and “Easy Ways to Eat Better.”

diabetesselfmanagement.com - Can Diabetics Take SuperBeets?

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