Dr. Grey AI

Red Spinach Extract

Red Spinach Extract (Amaranthus species) is a concentrated nitrate source used for blood pressure reduction and exercise performance. Contains very high dietary nitrate (~9000mg/100g dry weight) - significantly more than beetroot. Nitrates convert to nitric oxide, causing vasodilation. May lower blood pressure and improve exercise economy/endurance. Similar mechanism to beetroot juice but potentially more potent per dose. Limited human research specifically on red spinach extract, but nitrate mechanism is well-established.

Quick Answer

What it is

Red Spinach Extract (Amaranthus species) is a concentrated nitrate source used for blood pressure reduction and exercise performance. Contains very high dietary nitrate (~9000mg/100g dry weight) - significantly more than beetroot.

Key findings

  • Grade C: Aerobic Exercise Performance
  • Grade C: Nitric Oxide Production
  • Grade C: Blood Pressure

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Red Spinach Extract

Quick Facts: Red Spinach Extract

  • Best Evidence:Grade C
  • Conditions Studied:3
  • Research Outcomes:5
  • Key Effect:Aerobic Exercise Performance
Outcomes by grade:
A0
B0
C3
D2
3 conditions · 5 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

|
C
Aerobic Exercise Performance
In a double-blind crossover RCT (n=17), 7 days of 1g red spinach extract improved 4-km cycling time trial completion time, average power, and speed vs placebo. A separate crossover trial (n=14) found RSE significantly increased VO2 at ventilatory threshold (+6.1%). A 15-day supplementation study (n=11) found ~19% greater time-to-exhaustion during high-intensity exercise with RSE vs placebo.
small↑Improves
C
Nitric Oxide Production
Multiple crossover RCTs consistently demonstrate that red spinach extract dramatically increases plasma nitrate levels (+255% at 65-75 min post-ingestion in one study, +447% in another). A 15-day trial (n=11) found significantly elevated exhaled nitric oxide (41 vs 21 ppb) following RSE vs placebo.
large↑Improves
C
Blood Pressure
In a crossover RCT (n=17), red spinach extract supplementation significantly reduced post-exercise diastolic blood pressure vs placebo. A 15-day supplementation trial (n=11) found RSE significantly lowered systolic blood pressure (124 vs 128 mmHg). However, an acute single-dose crossover study (n=15) found no significant changes in resting blood pressure.
small↓Improves
D
Anaerobic Exercise Performance
In a crossover study of NCAA female soccer athletes (n=11), acute red spinach extract did not improve peak or mean power during repeated Wingate tests, but significantly reduced fatigue index. A 7-day trial in resistance-trained males (n=10) found no significant improvement in bench press repetitions, peak power, or mean power with RSE supplementation.
small↑Improves
D
Vascular Function
A randomized double-blind crossover study (n=15) found acute red spinach extract ingestion increased reactive hyperemia calf blood flow by 13.7% vs a 14.0% decrease with placebo. However, no differential response was observed in brachial artery flow-mediated dilation.
small↑Improves

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