Effects of raw red beetroot consumption on metabolic markers and cognitive function in type 2 diabetes patients

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effects of raw red beetroot consumption on metabolic markers and cognitive function in type 2 diabetes patients. Methods In a quasi-experimental study, 44 type 2 diabetes patients (57 +/- 4.5 years) consumed raw red beetroot (100 g, daily), for 8 weeks. Metabolic markers including body weight, glucose and lipid profile parameters, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, paraoxonase-1 activity, hepatic enzymes, blood pressure and cognitive function were measured at the beginning and end of 8 weeks. Results Raw red beetroot consumption resulted in a significant decrease in fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels (-13.53 mg/dL), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)(-0.34%), apolipoproteinB100 (ApoB100) (-8.25 mg/dl), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (-1.75 U/L), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (-3.7 U/L), homocysteine (-7.88 mu mol/l), systolic (-0.73 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (-0.34 mmHg), and a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (105 mu mol/L) and cognitive function tests (all P values <0.05). Other variables did not change significantly after the intervention. Conclusions Raw red beetroot consumption for 8 weeks in T2DM patients has beneficial impacts on cognitive function, glucose metabolism and other metabolic markers.