Research from the University of Exeter has revealed that taking a dietary supplement to boost nitric oxide in the body, may significantly boost stamina during high-intensity exercise.

A report published by the Journal of Applied Physiology, details how the placebo controlled study measured physical performance under different levels of exercise intensity.  Nine healthy adult males randomly selected either a blackcurrant cordial placebo drink or a supplement, which was Ark 1 from Arkworld International Limited that contained L-arginine amino acid. The use of such a supplement is thought to enhance the production of nitric oxide in the body.”The research found that when the dietary supplement was used, there was a striking increase in performance by altering the use of oxygen during exercise,” says Professor Andrew Jones, from Exeter University’s School of Sport and Health Sciences.

Not surprisingly, results from this study are of particular interest to athletes. By boosting nitric oxide levels, athletes can expect to exercise for up to 20 percent longer and even see their race times improve by as much as 1-2 percent. That’s a huge advantage for athletes performing at an elite level, when a 1-2 percent improvement could be the difference between winning the race or losing.

Interestingly, previous research done by the University of Exeter found that beetroot juice also has a similar effect on performance. High in nitrates, beetroot increases nitric oxide in the body. For people looking for a natural way to boost performance, eating beetroot or drinking beetroot juice, is a great addition to any healthy lifestyle. Beetroot is also proven to lower blood pressure. A study in the US journal Hypertension found that blood pressure was reduced within 24 hours in people who drank beetroot juice. Beetroots have a high inorganic content from nitrates in the soil, making them great for reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks.