Arjuna Natural will launch Oxystorm standardised nitrate to the sports nutrition market this month, after the results of clinical research showed that Oxystorm can help athletes to work out harder for longer.
Oxystorm is an extract of Amaranthus, one of the sources of nitrate in nature. Arjuna’s production process delivers an optimum level of nitrate content from the leaves of Amaranthus species: 9,000mg per 100g, which is more than the amount of nitrate from beetroot powder and beet juice. Offered as a powder, Oxystorm is highly water-soluble and has a neutral pH, making it ideal for a range of applications including energy bars and sport drinks, the brand said.
Clinical research published in January in the journal Nutrition shows that a single oral dose of Amaranthus extract is able to increase the levels of nitrate (NO3) and nitrite (NO2) in the body for at least eight hours. An increase in NO3 and NO2 levels can help improve the overall performance of people engaged in dynamic sports or other physical activities, Arjuna Natural pointed out.
“There is a growing demand for nitrate for athletes in sports nutrition products, and Oxystorm fits well into this slot,” said Benny Antony, joint managing director of Arjuna. “Simultaneously, it addresses hypertension and demonstrates several cardiovascular health benefits.”
Bacteria in the mouth convert nitrate to nitrite that is then circulated in the bloodstream. In conditions of low oxygen availability, nitrite is converted into nitric oxide, which is known to play a number of key roles in cardiovascular health and metabolic control. Dietary nitrate supplementation increases plasma nitrite concentration and reduces resting blood pressure.
“Beetroot powder and beet juice have typically been used to support nitrite levels but they contain comparatively low levels of nitrate in a typical serving. Moreover, the nitrate amount can vary widely based on where and how the plants were harvested and processed,” Antony continued. “Oxystorm is a potent form of nitrate for sports nutrition applications. It’s standardised to 9-10% nitrate content. But almost important is what isn’t in Oxystorm: reducing sugars and oxalates. Many beet-based products contain relatively high amounts of inherent reducing sugars and oxalates.”
The product will be launched at Vitafoods, Geneva on 10–12 May.
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