The purpose of the present study is to explore the effects of a dietary nitrate supplement (i.e., beetroot juice) on nitric oxide levels, immunity, mood, and cardiovascular activity during and following final exam stress in healthy individuals.
Research has demonstrated that during times of high stress (i.e., during final exam period), there is a decrease in fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in healthy undergraduate students. Additionally, a separate line of research has demonstrated periods of high stress impact immunity and the cardiovascular system. Nitric oxide may have a benefit in improving the physiological and psychological consequences of stress. The present research aims to explore the impact of a dietary supplement (beetroot juice drink) on immunity, nitric oxide levels, cardiovascular activity, and mood during and following final exam stress. In this study, investigators monitor changes in cold symptoms, IL-8, blood pressure, airway nitric oxide, and mood in students during the time of final exams and a comparable time of low stress during the term. There are three laboratory assessment visits, as well as a brief questionnaire on a separate day. During the final exam period, half of the participants are randomly assigned to the experimental group provided with a dietary supplement (beetroot juice drink) of which they are asked to take two doses every day (one in the morning and one in the evening) for seven days. The other half of the participants are randomly assigned to the placebo control group provided with a placebo supplement (placebo drink) of which they are asked to take two doses every day (one in the morning and one in the evening for seven days). For the final exam period, the first of the two sessions takes place early in the examination period (first half), and the second assessment takes place in the later exam period (second half). The online questionnaire assessing symptoms is measured 3 days after the final examination period.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
114
Beet-It Sports Shot, 70mL, containing 6.5 mmol nitric oxide (taking two shots per day in active group)
Beet-It Placebo Shot, 70mL (taking two shots per day in placebo group)
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, Texas, United States
Annie T. Ginty
Waco, Texas, United States
Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS)
Assesses symptoms of acute upper respiratory tract infections (common cold symptoms) by questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline (non-stress mid point of semester), 1-3 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period), 4-6 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period), 1-3 days after finishing beetroot shots (after final examinations)
Changes in IL-8 levels
Change in IL-8 levels
Time frame: Baseline (non-stress mid point of semester), 1-3 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period), 4-6 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period)
Resting blood pressure
Resting blood pressure (systolic and diastolic)
Time frame: Baseline (non-stress mid point of semester), 1-3 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period), 4-6 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period)
Acute stress
Perceived Stress Scale
Time frame: Baseline (non-stress mid point of semester), 1-3 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period), 4-6 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period)
Change in negative affect
PANAS negative affect scale
Time frame: Baseline (non-stress mid point of semester), 1-3 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period), 4-6 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period)
Adherence monitoring (feasibility )
Participants will upload a cell phone video of their intake for that day to a secure cloud folder, time stamp in comparison to assigned intake windows provides measure of adherence
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Time frame: Every day, twice a day during active beetroot
Exhaled Nitric Oxide
The Fraction of NO in Exhaled Breath (FENO, in ppb) will be measured with an electrochemical gas analyzer (NIOX vero).
Time frame: Baseline (non-stress mid point of semester), 1-3 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period), 4-6 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period)
Change in depressive symptomology
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
Time frame: Baseline (non-stress mid point of semester), 1-3 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period), 4-6 days into active beetroot shots (during final examination period)