Nitrate-rich beetroot extract recognized in the Established Ingredient: New Science category for clinical research in postmenopausal women

Sabinsa, the multi-national health science company known for providing sustainable, natural, well-researched ingredients, has been named the first-place winner in the Established Ingredient: New Science category of the 2026 Nutrition Industry Executive (NIE) New Ingredient Awards for its Sabeet®, a standardized nitrate-rich beetroot (Beta vulgaris) extract. The awards, now in their eighth year, recognized 14 science-backed ingredients across seven categories, selected by NIE’s editorial staff and a panel of eight esteemed industry judges.

The category honors established ingredients supported by meaningful new research. Sabeet earned the top spot on the strength of two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in postmenopausal women aged 60 to 85, each using 8.8 mmol of dietary nitrate per day for 12 weeks.

  • Vascular function. Published in the American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology (2025), the first study of its kind in this population found that Sabeet significantly improved multiple measures of carotid artery stiffness, including pulse wave velocity, at weeks 4, 8 and 12 versus placebo, with arterial compliance increasing by week 12.* Blood pressure was unchanged, indicating the effect reflects changes in the artery itself.
  • Muscle quality and power. Published in Nutrients (2026) and co-authored by Sabinsa Global CEO and Managing Director Shaheen Majeed, the second trial found significant improvements in muscle quality by ultrasound echo intensity (p = 0.014), early-phase rate of force development from 0 to 30 ms (p < 0.001) and peak rate of force development (p = 0.015). Gains were reached by week 8 and maintained through week 12.*

Sabeet delivers 548 mg (8.8 mmol) of dietary nitrate per day, the dose used in the published clinical studies. Through the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway, Sabeet helps support healthy nitric oxide production, which in turn supports healthy blood flow and circulation to working muscles.* For women after menopause, when natural nitric oxide production declines alongside estrogen, this research extends beetroot nitrate's relevance well beyond its traditional sports nutrition audience.

Judges noted both the quality of the science and the population it serves. Cheryl Myers, Chief of Scientific Affairs and Education at EuroPharma, remarked that it was “nice to see a cardio study done on women for a change.” Blake Ebersole of NaturPro Scientific observed that the nitrate dose aligns with the broader body of nitric oxide research in older adults, a population where meaningful results are difficult to achieve.

“Our industry tends to chase novelty, but some of the most meaningful progress comes from asking better questions about ingredients we already trust,” said Majeed. “Beetroot nitrate was known as a sports ingredient. Rigorous clinical work in older women shows its relevance is far broader.”

Judges also weighed sourcing and formulation. Founded in 1988, Sabinsa is vertically integrated, with oversight from cultivation to finished ingredient across nearly 60,000 acres and full chain-of-custody documentation. Sabeet is standardized for nitrate content in every batch and manufactured at NSF-GMP-certified facilities, with Kosher and Halal certification where applicable. In the clinical research, each daily dose reliably raised serum nitrate 5 to 6-fold above placebo. Sabeet is clean-label friendly and suited to both powder and functional beverage formats.

The full list of 2026 NIE New Ingredient Award winners is available at niemagazine.com.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

  1. Pinheiro VDS, et al. Effect of 12-week dietary nitrate supplementation on carotid arterial stiffness in postmenopausal females. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2025. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00065.2025
  2. Ramos Junior, et al. Long-Term Beetroot Extract Supplementation Improves Morphological Muscle Quality and Rate of Force Development in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2026;18(5):860. doi:10.3390/nu18050860