Buyer's guide · 5 min read

Juice vs. Powder vs. Chews: Which Beet Product Delivers Nitrate?

How beet juice, powders, shots and chews compare for nitrate content, sugar and value — and how to choose.

Last updated October 9, 2026 • Reviewed by Dr. A. Reviewer, M.Sc. Nutrition • Based on peer-reviewed sources

Short answer: Nitrate content varies widely between products — many contain far less than trial doses.^{[Gallardo et al., 2019 9]}

Key takeaways

✓Nitrate content varies widely between products — many contain far less than trial doses.^{[Gallardo et al., 2019 9]}
✓Juice is what almost all clinical trials used.^{[Zamani et al., 2021 32; Kapil et al., 2015 2]}
✓Look for 100% beet, no added sugar, and a stated nitrate amount.^{[Gallardo et al., 2019 9]}

What lab tests found

When researchers tested commercial beet juices, powders and shots, nitrate content ranged widely — and some products had very little.^{[Gallardo et al., 2019 9]}

Fresh beetroot also varies with variety, soil and season.^{[Hord et al., 2009 8]}

Format by format

Juice: the best-studied format, with a large and fast nitrate dose, but less fiber and more sugar per serving.^{[Kapil et al., 2015 2; Zamani et al., 2021 32]}

Concentrated shots: standardized doses near 400 mg nitrate in a small volume, common in sports research.^{[Wylie et al., 2013 5]}

Powders and chews: convenient, but nitrate varies; check whether the label states it.^{[Gallardo et al., 2019 9]}

Whole beets: fiber, folate and potassium with a smaller, slower nitrate dose.^{[USDA, 2018 33; Cleveland Clinic 38]}

How to choose

Prefer 100% beet with no added sugar or flavorings, and a stated nitrate content.^{[Gallardo et al., 2019 9; Zamani et al., 2021 32]}

Educational information only — not medical advice. Talk to your clinician before changing your diet or medication.

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References7 peer-reviewed sourcesShow all

2.Kapil V, et al. Dietary nitrate provides sustained blood pressure lowering in hypertensive patients. Hypertension. 2015;65(2):320–327. View source
5.Wylie LJ, et al. Beetroot juice and exercise: pharmacodynamic and dose-response relationships. J Appl Physiol. 2013;115(3):325–336. View source
8.Hord NG, Tang Y, Bryan NS. Food sources of nitrates and nitrites: the physiologic context for potential health benefits. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009;90(1):1–10. View source
9.Gallardo EJ, Coggan AR. What's in your beet juice? Nitrate and nitrite content of beet juices, powders, and shots. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2019;29(4):345–349. View source
32.Zamani H, et al. The benefits and risks of beetroot juice consumption: a systematic review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2021;61(5):788–804. View source
33.USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Basic Report 11080: Beets, raw. Release April 2018. View source
38.Cleveland Clinic. Beets: health benefits and nutrients. Health Essentials. View source

Claims marked [*] are awaiting a verified source.