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

Abstract

Although inorganic nitrate (NO3−) 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 NO3− supplementation nor the menstrual cycle influenced exercise economy or vascular health in healthy young naturally menstruating females, while NO3− supplementation significantly worsened endurance capacity (10%) independent of the menstrual cycle phase.