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

This study aimed to investigate the effects of raw red beetroot consumption on metabolic markers and cognitive function in type 2 diabetes patients. 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. 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 μmol/l), systolic (−0.73 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (−0.34 mmHg), anda significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (105 μmol/L) and cognitive function tests (all P values <0.05). Other variables did not change significantly after the intervention. Raw red beetroot consumption for 8 weeks in T2DM patients has beneficial impacts on cognitive function, glucose metabolism and other metabolic markers.