← Back to Search

Dietary Supplement

Beetroot Juice for Common Cold (NCS Trial)

Phase 2
Recruiting
Led By Thomas Ritz, Ph.D.
Research Sponsored by Southern Methodist University
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Ages of 18-30 years old
Be between 18 and 65 years old
Must not have
Developing kidney stone
Clinically significant heart disease
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 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)
Awards & highlights

Summary

"This trial aims to show that drinking beetroot juice for one week can boost a natural defense in the airways called nitric oxide. This defense could help protect young adults from respiratory infections, which are

Who is the study for?
This trial is for young adults who are generally healthy and looking to prevent respiratory infections like the common cold. Participants should be interested in trying a dietary supplement, beetroot juice, which may boost their airway defense against viruses.
What is being tested?
The study is testing whether drinking beetroot juice for one week can increase nitric oxide levels in the airways and help fend off respiratory infections during stressful times.
What are the potential side effects?
Beetroot juice is generally considered safe with few side effects; however, it might cause red-colored urine or stools in some people due to its natural pigments.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
Select...
I am between 18 and 30 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
Select...
I am currently developing a kidney stone.
Select...
I have a serious heart condition.
Select...
I have asthma that significantly affects my daily life.
Select...
I have a brain blood vessel condition.
Select...
I have COPD or emphysema.
Select...
My diabetes is not well-managed.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~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)
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 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) for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary outcome measures
Adherence monitoring (feasibility)
Burdensomeness
Exhaled Nitric Oxide
+2 more
Secondary outcome measures
Acute stress
Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic blood pressure) and heart rate
Cortisol
+2 more
Other outcome measures
Arginase
Asymmetric dimethylarginine
One-day Food Record

Trial Design

3Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: Two active doses of beetroot juiceExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
2 active (nitrate containing) doses of Beet-it Pro 400
Group II: One active dose of beetroot juice and one placebo dose of beetroot juiceActive Control1 Intervention
1 active (nitrate containing) dose of Beet-it Pro 400 and one placebo (nitrate-depleted) dose of beetroot juice
Group III: Two placebo doses of beetroot juicePlacebo Group1 Intervention
2 placebo (nitrate-depleted) doses of beetroot juice
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Beetroot juice
2013
Completed Phase 4
~620

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Southern Methodist UniversityLead Sponsor
36 Previous Clinical Trials
5,846 Total Patients Enrolled
Baylor UniversityOTHER
59 Previous Clinical Trials
65,426 Total Patients Enrolled
Annie Ginty, Ph.D.Study DirectorBaylor University
~100 spots leftby May 2026
Unbiased ResultsWe believe in providing patients with all the options.
Your Data Stays Your DataWe only share your information with the clinical trials you're trying to access.
Verified Trials OnlyAll of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.
Back to top