Beetroot Juice for Walking Difficulties in Peripheral Artery Disease
BEET root juice to reverse functional impairment in PAD: The BEET PAD Trial
This research explores if drinking beetroot juice can help people with peripheral artery disease walk better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136505 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
People with peripheral artery disease (PAD) often experience difficulty walking due to reduced blood flow and damage to their calf muscles. This project aims to determine if beetroot juice, which is rich in a substance that can improve blood flow and muscle health, can help. We are conducting a large, multi-center study where participants with PAD will either drink beetroot juice or a placebo. Our main goal is to see if beetroot juice can significantly improve walking performance over four months by enhancing blood flow and muscle function in the legs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with lower extremity peripheral artery disease who experience functional impairment and walking difficulties.
Not a fit: Patients without peripheral artery disease or those whose walking difficulties stem from other conditions may not receive benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a simple, natural way to improve walking ability and overall mobility for people living with peripheral artery disease.
How similar studies have performed: Several small pilot studies, including some by the co-investigators, have shown promising results that beetroot juice may improve walking ability in people with PAD.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdermott, Mary Mcgrae — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Mcdermott, Mary Mcgrae
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.