The effects of inorganic nitrate supplementation on exercise economy and endurance capacity across the menstrual cycle

Abstract

Although inorganic nitrate (NO 3 − ) supplementation has increased in popularity as a means of improving exercise performance, data in females at different phases of the menstrual cycle are lacking despite known interactions of estrogen with NO. This study revealed neither NO 3 − supplementation nor the menstrual cycle influenced exercise economy or vascular health in healthy young naturally menstruating females, while NO 3 − supplementation significantly worsened endurance capacity (10%) independent of the menstrual cycle phase.