#Beetroot

Beetroot powder is a popular wellness trend in Thailand, sold as a quick energy booster and stand-in for heart-healthy nutrition. With products ranging from heart chews to pre-workout blends, consumers want to know if the science backs marketing claims or if hype is driving consumption.

Beetroot’s appeal centers on two natural bioactives: betalains, the pigments that give beets their deep red color, and dietary nitrates. Betalains are linked to heart-protective effects, while nitrates help form nitric oxide, supporting blood vessel function and reducing inflammation. Importantly, these compounds largely survive processing into powder or juice, though levels vary by beet variety and production methods, which means results can differ across brands.

Beetroot powder has been making waves across the health and wellness community, with supplement makers touting its ability to boost energy, improve heart health, and elevate workout performance. But as enthusiastic consumers in Thailand and beyond scoop up products ranging from heart chews to pre-workout boosters laced with beetroot, the question remains: does the scientific evidence back up the hype, or are marketing claims getting ahead of the facts?

Much of the allure of beetroot powder centers on two main bioactive compounds found naturally in beets: betalains, the pigments responsible for their deep red color, and dietary nitrates, which some vegetables—like celery and lettuce—share in abundance. According to Dr. Kirsten Brandt, a senior lecturer at Newcastle University’s Human Nutrition & Exercise Research Centre, betalains offer heart-protective properties, while bodily conversion of nitrate to nitric oxide strengthens blood vessel function and manages inflammation (source: Men’s Health). Importantly, these beneficial compounds generally survive the process of turning beets into powder or juice, although concentrations can vary depending on the beet variety and processing technique.