Importantly, a word of caution is appropriate since individuals, eager to try to enhance performance, might easily confuse nitrate with nitrite or organic nitrates, with risk for fatal effects. If used by professional athletes, would intake of nitrate salts, beetroot juice or another nitrate-rich vegetable be considered as doping? If so, will there be cut-off limits in plasma levels of nitrate and nitrite in athletes?Finally, even though the remarkable effects of nitrate on oxygen consumption during exercise are established, numerous labs are presently struggling to unravel the underlying mechanisms, which are largely unresolved. Therefore, when summarizing our current understanding, we cannot resist the temptation to paraphrase Bob Dylan: We know something is happening, hut we don't know what it is - Do we, Dr Jones?
展开▼
