In collaboration with Isagenix scientists, Arizona State University researchers have reported that NOx increases nitric oxide bioavailability in healthy men.

“The findings are intriguing because you might not expect to see any change in nitric oxide bioavailability in a healthy adult population,” said physiologist Karen Sweazea, Ph.D., the study’s lead author and an associate professor at Arizona State University.

“Our study also provides scientific support that taking plant-based nitrates in the form of a concentrated drink can have cardiovascular benefits even in healthy men,” Dr. Sweazea said.

Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

The study randomized 48 healthy men, ages 18-40, to two groups, either consuming one serving per day of NOx or a prune juice placebo, which is very similar to NOx in calories, carbohydrates, and polyphenols but without any nitrates.

Dr. Sweazea explained that the subjects also avoided using antiseptic mouthwash during the trial. “This was to take advantage of bacteria already present in the mouth,” she said. These oral bacteria are involved in converting nitrate from vegetables into nitrite in saliva—as part of the nitrate/nitrite enterosalivary circulation system—which can influence nitric oxide levels in the bloodstream.

The researchers collected several measures of cardiovascular health—body composition, blood pressure, fasting blood samples, and flow-mediated dilation (a measure of blood vessel function)—at baseline and after one and two weeks. The subjects also completed questionnaires about their sleep quality and mood.

The study found NOx significantly increased plasma nitrates and nitrites in the subjects indicating better nitric oxide bioavailability. The drink shot also supported healthy blood pressure while demonstrating a small trend toward improving flow-mediated dilation compared to prune juice. There was no evidence found of improvement or disturbance to sleep or mood during the two-week nutritional intervention.

Nitric Oxide Bioavailability and Athletes

“You could speculate that we may have seen even greater evidence of positive cardiovascular benefits in non-fasted individuals or in regard to athletic performance, but we’d need to confirm those effects with further research,” said Dr. Sweazea.

The study was the first to provide a clear demonstration of a rise of nitrates in the bloodstream, improved nitric oxide bioavailability, and cardiovascular benefits using NOx, said Eric Gumpricht, Ph.D., Isagenix Manager of Research and Science, a co-author of the paper.

“We plan on continuing to evaluate both acute and chronic effects of NOx in athletes as well as non-athletes for additional performance and cardiovascular benefits” said Dr. Gumpricht.

About NOx

NOx is a two-ounce shot of vegetable and fruit extracts—including beet, celery, and pomegranate—containing naturally sourced nitrates and polyphenols for supporting nitric oxide production and overall cardiovascular health.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Reference

Sweazea KL, Johnston CS, Miller B, Gumpricht E. Nitrate-Rich Fruit and Vegetable Supplement Reduces Blood Pressure in Normotensive Healthy Young Males without Significantly Altering Flow-Mediated Vasodilation: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Controlled Trial. J Nutr Metab. 2018;2018:1729653.