Best Nitric Oxide Supplements: Why Nitrate Content Matters More Than Beetroot

If you are shopping for a Nitric Oxide supplement, you have probably noticed that beetroot is everywhere. Powders, chews, concentrates, and capsules all feature beetroot prominently on the label. The assumption is simple: more beetroot means more nitrate, and more nitrate means more Nitric Oxide (NO).

But published independent research tells a different story. The amount of beetroot in a product and the amount of dietary nitrate it actually delivers are not the same thing, and the gap between them can be enormous.

Why Nitrate Content Is What Really Matters

Nitric Oxide is the molecule that signals blood vessels to relax, supporting healthy blood flow, cardiovascular health, and oxygen delivery throughout the body. The dietary pathway to producing NO runs through inorganic nitrate: the body converts dietary nitrate to nitrite (via bacteria in the mouth), and nitrite is then converted to NO.

That pathway is well-documented. A review published on vascular effects of dietary nitrate confirmed that dietary nitrate supports a range of vascular effects, including supporting healthy blood pressure and blood flow through the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway.

The key point: it is the nitrate that drives NO production. Beetroot is simply one vehicle for delivering it. And not all beetroot products deliver the same amount.

What Independent Testing Has Found

The Gallardo and Coggan Study (2019)

Researchers at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis analyzed 45 samples from 24 commercial beetroot juice products marketed to athletes. The findings, published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, were striking:

• Nitrate content varied almost 50-fold between products.
• Only 5 of 24 products consistently provided at least 5 mmol (~310 mg) of nitrate per serving, the threshold the researchers associated with exercise-performance research.
• Even within the same product, batch-to-batch variation averaged 30%, with some products varying by as much as 83%.

ConsumerLab Testing (2025)

Independent testing by ConsumerLab reinforced the pattern. After testing 10 popular beetroot juices, powders, and chews:

• Nitrate content ranged from as little as 2.2 mg to as much as 495.6 mg per serving, a difference of more than 200-fold.
• One product claimed equivalency to three whole beets but contained less than 4% of the nitrate you would expect from that claim.
• Clinical research has typically used 300 to 600 mg of nitrate per day.

The takeaway from both studies is the same: a large amount of beetroot on the label does not guarantee a meaningful dose of nitrate in the product.

How SuperBeets Fits In

SuperBeets, made by HumanN, is one of the most widely recognized beetroot supplements on the market. If you are comparing nitric oxide vs. beetroot options, it is likely one of the products you are considering.

In the Gallardo and Coggan study, the researchers independently tested the SuperBeets product that was commercially available at the time. The measured nitrate content was approximately 1.03 mmol (~64 mg) per serving, which was well below the 5 mmol (~310 mg) threshold the researchers used as a benchmark.

Important context

That measurement was based on a product purchased in 2017-2018 and should be understood as a historical independent finding. Product formulations can change, and we are not in a position to claim that today's SuperBeets contains the same amount of nitrate. 

What the data does illustrate is the broader principle: the amount of beetroot in a supplement does not necessarily predict its nitrate content, and independent testing is the only way to know what a product actually delivers.

What to Look for When Choosing a Supplement

If you are evaluating a best nitrate supplement vs. beetroot product, here are the questions worth asking:

Does the label disclose nitrate content per serving?

Most beetroot products do not list nitrate amounts. If a product does not tell you how much nitrate you are getting, you have no way to know whether it reaches a meaningful dose.

Is there independent or clinical testing behind the product?

Published research, third-party testing, and clinical trials provide a higher level of confidence than marketing claims alone.

Can you measure the results?

A supplement that comes with a way to verify its effects gives you something most products cannot: proof that it is working.

How Berkeley Life Approaches This Differently

Berkeley Life's approach starts with the nitrate, not the beetroot. Rather than relying on variable raw beetroot content, Nitric Oxide Support is formulated as a clinically studied, two-capsule daily dose of plant-based dietary nitrates with a disclosed, consistent nitrate content per serving.

Clinical research on the formula has shown a 28% increase in blood flow with improved vascular function after 12 weeks of daily use.

And because knowing where you stand matters, the Nitric Oxide Test Strips measure salivary nitrite as an indicator of NO status. You can check your baseline, start supplementing, and retest to track how your body is responding. 

Concluding Thoughts

When it comes to supporting Nitric Oxide production, what matters is the nitrate, not the label. Independent research consistently shows that beetroot content alone is not a reliable predictor of how much dietary nitrate a supplement actually delivers. Knowing the difference can save you from spending money on a product that looks good on the shelf but falls short of a meaningful dose.

If you want to support healthy blood flow with a product that discloses its nitrate content, is backed by clinical research, and gives you a way to track your progress, start with Nitric Oxide Support and Test Strips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is beetroot the same as Nitric Oxide?

No. Beetroot is a vegetable that contains dietary nitrate, which the body can convert into Nitric Oxide. But nitrate levels in beetroot products vary widely, so beetroot content alone does not predict the level of NO support.

How much nitrate do I need from a supplement?

Research has generally used 300 mg or more of dietary nitrate per day. The Gallardo and Coggan study identified 5 mmol (~310 mg) as the threshold associated with exercise-performance research. Look for products that disclose nitrate per serving.

Is SuperBeets a good source of Nitric Oxide?

SuperBeets is a widely available beetroot powder. Independent testing of the product available in 2017-2018 measured approximately 64 mg of nitrate per serving, below the research threshold. Current formulations may differ, so checking for disclosed nitrate is recommended.

Why do beetroot supplements vary so much in nitrate?

Nitrate levels in beets depend on soil conditions, growing season, fertilization, beet variety, and processing methods. Without standardization or independent testing, the amount of nitrate in any given beetroot product can vary dramatically from batch to batch.

How can I tell if my Nitric Oxide supplement is working?

Nitric Oxide Test Strips measure salivary nitrite as an indicator of NO status. The at-home test gives a color-coded reading in seconds, so you can track your levels before and after starting supplementation.

Does beet juice work better than a nitrate supplement?

It depends on the product. Some concentrated beet juices do provide meaningful nitrate doses, and beet juice and nitric oxide are closely linked because dietary nitrates can support nitric oxide production. A supplement with a disclosed, consistent nitrate dose per serving removes the guesswork and supports a more reliable daily routine.