Oxystorm, made from an extract of amaranthus, delivers 9,000mg of nitrate per 100g—more than beetroot powder or beet juice—according to clinical research cited by the company.
Offered as a powder, Oxystorm is highly water-soluble and has a neutral pH, the ingredient can be used in a range of applications including energy bars and sport drinks, the brand said.
Clinical research published in January in the journal Nutrition shows that a single oral dose of amaranthus extract can increase the levels of nitrate and nitrite in the body for at least eight hours. Such an increase can help improve the overall performance of people engaged in dynamic sports and other physical activities.
“There is a growing demand for nitrate for athletes in sports nutrition products, and Oxystorm fits well into this slot,” said Benny Antony, joint managing director of Arjuna.
“Simultaneously, it addresses hypertension and demonstrates several cardiovascular health benefits.”
Bacteria in the mouth convert nitrate to nitrite that is then circulated in the bloodstream. When low oxygen levels are available, nitrite is converted into nitric oxide, which is known to play a number of key roles in cardiovascular health and metabolic control.
Dietary nitrate supplementation increases plasma nitrite concentration and reduces resting blood pressure.
“Beetroot powder and beet juice have typically been used to support nitrite levels but they contain comparatively low levels of nitrate in a typical serving. Moreover, the nitrate amount can vary widely based on where and how the plants were harvested and processed,” added Antony.
“Oxystorm is a potent form of nitrate for sports nutrition applications. It’s standardised to 9-10% nitrate content. But almost important is what isn’t in Oxystorm: reducing sugars and oxalates. Many beet-based products contain relatively high amounts of inherent reducing sugars and oxalates.”