By Brian Maslach, founder of Enduro Bites and competitive endurance athlete.
When we developed Beta Red Pre-Workout Formula, we began with deep, exhaustive research, reviewing countless studies to determine which ingredients would have the most potent effects on improving performance. Over 18 months were spent testing ingredients and prototype formulas to develop the best pre-workout product possible for endurance athletes.
In this blog series, we share some of this research and explain how Beta Red improves aerobic and anaerobic energy production. In previous posts, we cover the other two amino acids in Beta Red — Beta-Alanine and Citrulline Malate. Today, we turn the spotlight to Betaine.
What is Betaine?
Betaine got its name because it was discovered in beetroot — it’s the main nitrogen-containing component in sugar beets. Betaine is also found, in lesser amounts, in many other healthy foods such as whole grains, spinach, and avocados.
Research shows that betaine consumption improves muscular endurance, protects against dehydration, allows you to better tolerate heat, and protects your heart — all extremely valuable benefits for the typical endurance athlete.
What does the research say?
In one study, active college-aged men performed various power and endurance exercises with either betaine supplementation or a placebo over three weeks. The study showed that betaine supplementation improved muscle endurance, concluding:
“Two weeks of betaine supplementation in active, college males appeared to improve muscle endurance of the squat exercise, and increase the quality of repetitions performed.”
In another study, male runners were intentionally dehydrated and then rehydrated with fluids that both contained and did not contain betaine. They then performed prolonged treadmill running and a sprint to exhaustion. The study concluded:
“Observations indicated that rehydration with fluids containing betaine resulted in significant differences of plasma volume, oxygen consumption, plasma lactate concentration, and thermal sensation.”
A third study tested betaine supplementation on regular weightlifters, measuring lower- and upper-body muscular power, isometric force, and upper-body muscular endurance. The study found:
“Betaine supplementation results in a moderate increase in total repetitions and volume load in the bench press exercise.”
Finally, a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials on daily betaine supplementation concluded:
“Supplementation with at least 4g/d of betaine for a minimum of 6 weeks can lower plasma homocysteine.”
Why it’s in Beta Red
In other words, betaine is cardioprotective — it converts homocysteine (high levels of which are a risk factor for heart and blood vessel disease) to L-methionine, a powerful antioxidant. Combined with Beta-Alanine and Citrulline Malate, betaine forms a synergistic amino acid stack in Beta Red designed specifically for endurance performance.
We’ve also seen real-world results amongst ourselves and the elite athletes with whom we test our products — which is why we chose to include it in Beta Red Pre-Workout Formula.
As always, if you have any questions, please reach out at info@endurobites.com.