The Effects of Nitrate, Caffeine, and Cold Exposure on Cardiovascular Function.

September 5, 2025 updated by: Stephen Bailey, Loughborough University

Does Dietary Nitrate Supplementation Attenuate the Cardiovascular Strain Elicited by Caffeine and Cold Exposure in Healthy Individuals?

Dietary inorganic nitrate supplementation may have positive implications on cardiovascular function. The aim of this project is to determine if nitrate supplementation can attenuate the effects that caffeine and cold exposure have on the cardiovascular system.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Acute caffeine consumption and cold exposure elicit negative effects on the cardiovascular system. Humans are regularly exposed to such conditions of increased cardiovascular strain, which may lead to elevated chronic cardiovascular risk. On the other hand, dietary inorganic nitrate supplementation is well established to improve cardiovascular function in healthy individuals. Thus, acute nitrate supplementation may compensate for the negative effects that caffeine and the cold place on the cardiovascular system. These effects will be measured using peripheral blood pressure, pulse wave analysis, heart rate variability, forearm blood flow, flow mediated dilation, and blood and saliva markers.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
24

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • United Kingdom
      • Loughborough, United Kingdom, LE11 3TU
        • Loughborough University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Blood pressure < 130 mmHg systolic and < 85 mmHg diastolic. BMI between 18.5 and 29.9 kg/m2. Females must be naturally menstruating (regular length cycle and menses) or using a form of combined hormonal contraception (for at least 6 months).

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Existing cardiovascular or metabolic conditions. Experience any adverse reactions to experimental procedures or supplements. Allergies to supplements or breakfast items. Involved in any other studies. Blood pressure > 130 mmHg systolic and > 85 mmHg diastolic.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Nitrate, caffeine, and cold pressor test (CPT)
All outcome variables will be measured for 24 participants in a trial where they receive 400 mg nitrate in the form of beetroot extract, 6 mg/kg caffeine powder, and undergo a 3 min cold pressor test.
Dietary supplement: TruBeet inorganic beetroot juice
400 mg nitrate-rich beetroot powder, mixed with 300 mL water.
Dietary supplement: Caffeine
6 mg/kg caffeine powder in capsule form.
Other: Cold pressor test
3 min cold pressor test using the left foot in cold water (0-2 degree).
Placebo Comparator: Nitrate, placebo caffeine, and CPT
All outcome variables will be measured for 24 participants in a trial where they receive 400 mg nitrate in the form of beetroot extract, 6 mg/kg cornflour (caffeine placebo), and undergo a 3 min cold pressor test.
Dietary supplement: TruBeet inorganic beetroot juice
400 mg nitrate-rich beetroot powder, mixed with 300 mL water.
Other: Cold pressor test
3 min cold pressor test using the left foot in cold water (0-2 degree).
Placebo Comparator: Placebo nitrate, caffeine, and CPT
All outcome variables will be measured for 24 participants in a trial where they receive nitrate-depleted beetroot extract (placebo), 6 mg/kg caffeine powder, and undergo a 3 min cold pressor test.
Dietary supplement: Caffeine
6 mg/kg caffeine powder in capsule form.
Other: Cold pressor test
3 min cold pressor test using the left foot in cold water (0-2 degree).
Placebo Comparator: Placebo nitrate, placebo caffeine, and CPT
All outcome variables will be measured for 24 participants in a trial where they receive nitrate-depleted beetroot extract (placebo), 6 mg/kg cornflour (caffeine placebo), and undergo a 3 min cold pressor test.
Other: Cold pressor test
3 min cold pressor test using the left foot in cold water (0-2 degree).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Brachial blood pressure
Time Frame: Mean of 5 readings taken pre-supplementation (0 hours) and post-supplementation (2.5 hours). 1 reading was taken pre- cold pressor test (3.5 hours). All measures were recorded on every experimental trial (4 trials with at least 48 h washout between).
Brachial blood pressure was collected using an automatic sphygmomanometer.
Mean of 5 readings taken pre-supplementation (0 hours) and post-supplementation (2.5 hours). 1 reading was taken pre- cold pressor test (3.5 hours). All measures were recorded on every experimental trial (4 trials with at least 48 h washout between).
Flow mediated dilation
Time Frame: Measured pre-supplementation (at 0 hours) and post-supplementation (at 2.5 hours) for every experimental trial (4 trials with at least 48 h washout between).
Baseline diameter, peak diameter, change in diameter, and shear stimulus following flow mediated dilation procedure of the brachial artery with post-occlusion reactive hyperaemia.
Measured pre-supplementation (at 0 hours) and post-supplementation (at 2.5 hours) for every experimental trial (4 trials with at least 48 h washout between).
Central blood pressure and pulse wave variables
Time Frame: Collected pre-supplementation (0 hours), post-supplementation (2.5 hours), and during the cold pressor test (3.5 h) for 4 experimental trials (4 trials with at least 48 hours washout in between).
Mean of 2-3 readings for aortic systolic BP, aortic diastolic BP, HR, Augmentation index, augmentation index corrected to HR of 75 bpm, pulse pressure, and augmentation pressure.
Collected pre-supplementation (0 hours), post-supplementation (2.5 hours), and during the cold pressor test (3.5 h) for 4 experimental trials (4 trials with at least 48 hours washout in between).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Forearm blood flow
Time Frame: Measured pre-supplementation (at 0 hours) and post-supplementation (at 2.5 hours) for every experimental trial (4 trials with at least 48 h washout between).
Forearm blood flow pre- and post-PORH (post occlusion reactive hyperaemia) via strain gauge plethysmography.
Measured pre-supplementation (at 0 hours) and post-supplementation (at 2.5 hours) for every experimental trial (4 trials with at least 48 h washout between).
Salivary nitrate and nitrite
Time Frame: Measured pre-supplementation (at 0 hours) and post-supplementation (at 2.5 hours) for every experimental trial (4 trials with at least 48 h washout between).
Salivary concentration of nitrate and nitrite
Measured pre-supplementation (at 0 hours) and post-supplementation (at 2.5 hours) for every experimental trial (4 trials with at least 48 h washout between).
Heart rate variability
Time Frame: Collected pre-supplementation (0 hours), post-supplementation (2.5 hours), and during the cold pressor test (3.5 h) for 4 experimental trials (4 trials with at least 48 hours washout in between).
Time and frequency domains for heart rate variability collected for 3-5min.
Collected pre-supplementation (0 hours), post-supplementation (2.5 hours), and during the cold pressor test (3.5 h) for 4 experimental trials (4 trials with at least 48 hours washout in between).
NIBP continuous blood pressure
Time Frame: Collected pre-supplementation (0 hours), post-supplementation (2.5 hours), and during the cold pressor test (3.5 h) for 4 experimental trials (4 trials with at least 48 hours washout in between).
SBP, DBP, MAP, HR collected continuously for 3-5 min.
Collected pre-supplementation (0 hours), post-supplementation (2.5 hours), and during the cold pressor test (3.5 h) for 4 experimental trials (4 trials with at least 48 hours washout in between).
Whole blood RSNO
Time Frame: Collected pre-supplementation (0 hours), post-supplementation (2.5 hours), and immediately post- cold pressor test (3.5 h) for 4 experimental trials (4 trials with at least 48 hours washout in between).
S--nitrosothiols concentration from treated whole blood (NEM, EDTA, potassium ferricyanide).
Collected pre-supplementation (0 hours), post-supplementation (2.5 hours), and immediately post- cold pressor test (3.5 h) for 4 experimental trials (4 trials with at least 48 hours washout in between).
Plasma nitrate, nitrite, cGMP
Time Frame: Collected pre-supplementation (0 hours), post-supplementation (2.5 hours), and immediately post- cold pressor test (3.5 h) for 4 experimental trials (4 trials with at least 48 hours washout in between)
Plasma concentrations of nitrate, nitrite, and cGMP.
Collected pre-supplementation (0 hours), post-supplementation (2.5 hours), and immediately post- cold pressor test (3.5 h) for 4 experimental trials (4 trials with at least 48 hours washout in between)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Loughborough University

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Biogen Extracts Pvt Ltd

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Stephen Bailey, Loughborough University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
December 5, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
November 1, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
April 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 12, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 17, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
September 19, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 12, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 5, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • LoughboroughUAM

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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