Our Freeze-Dried Beetroot treats are marinated in Chicken Bone Broth to improve the palatability, because while beetroot is a healthy addition, many dogs aren't going to find it extremely palatable by itself, as Harper can attest to.
Beetroot
Beetroot has a long history dating back to Ancient Greece, where it was given to Apollo at the temple of Delphi.
Beetroot has been gaining more interest over the past several years, due to being rich in a number of bioactive compounds.
While the benefits of beetroot supplementation in dogs haven't been evaluated, multiple human and animal studies have evaluated the impact, and the evidence to date points towards beetroot having a positive impact, primarily due to the dietary nitrates, and betalains, found in Red Beetroot.
While the betalains found in beets are not exclusive to beets, the red you see in many fruits and vegetables are a result of carotenoids or flavonoids. is typically a result of either carotenoids or flavonoids.
Betaine
Among the compounds found in beetroot is Betaine (Trimethylglycine). Betaine can spare and partially spare both Choline and Methionine. Betaine can lower blood homocysteine levels. It accomplishes this by donating a methyl group to homocysteine, which converts it to methionine, and Dimethylglycine (DMG).
Prebiotics
Beetroot is also a good source of Fiber. Beetroot is a valuable source of two different prebiotic fibers fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and Pectin.
Dietary Nitrates
Beetroot is also a valuable source of dietary nitrates. It's important to differentiate the dietary nitrates in fruits and vegetables with those added to processed meats.
While in processed meats heme promotes the synthesis of N-Nitroso compounds which are considered carcinogenic. Fruits and vegetables such as beetroot are rich in phytochemicals that inhibit Nitrosation, while still allowing the conversion to nitric oxide, which is also produced via the amino acid arginine.
While there hasn't been research in dogs yet (There are more pressing research concerns), there has been considerable amount of research in both human and other animal models, on the potential positive impact of dietary nitrates on both heart health and athletic performance.