The Effects of Consuming 6Weeks of Beetroot Juice (Beta vulgaris L.) on Hematological Parameters in Female Soccer Players

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of consuming 6 weeks of beetroot juice (Beta vulgaris L.) on hema- tological parameters in female soccer players. Methods: Twenty female soccer players were selected randomly and assigned into two groups: Experimental (beetroot juice, n = 10) and control (placebo, n = 10). Subjects trained for six weeks (three 90-min sessions per week) by consuming 200 mL of juice 2 hours prior to training. Blood samples were collected and investigated (Hb, Hct, RBC, Iron, MCV, Ferritin and TIBC) in pre- and posttest. Paired Sample t-test and Independent Sample t-test were used for comparision within and between groups, respectively. Statistical significance was P ≤ 0.05. Results: Results showed that the experimental group had significant increases in the Hb, Hct, RBC, iron, and ferritin levels (P 0.05). No significant difference was detected in MCV levels (t = -1.10, P = 0.29) and there was a significant decrease in the TIBC (t = 4.99, P = 0.001). In the control group, there were significant differences in (Hct, iron, ferritin and TIBC) (P 0.05). In addition, there were significant differences in (Hb, Hct, RBC, iron, ferritin and TIBC) levels between experimental and control subjects (P 0.05), but there was no significant difference in MCV (t = 1.11, P = 0.28). Conclusions: Since beetroot juice consumption has significant effects on the levels of some hematological parameters in female soccer players, it can be used to prevent and improve anemia among these athletes.