Table 1 Key considerations for future randomised controlled trials exploring the health effects of NO3− ingestion
Consideration | Recommendation |
|---|---|
Dose | Consumption of a NO3− dose ≥8 mmol |
NO3− form | Provision of NO3− salts or vegetables, with NO3− content independently verified |
Study duration | Longer duration (e.g., months-to-years) warranted |
Participant cohort | ‘At risk’ cohort studied (e.g., individuals with hypertension for studies exploring effects of NO3− on cardiovascular disease risk) |
Genetics/ microbiome | Consider recruitment of T allele carriers with G894T polymorphism in the eNOS gene |
Microbiome | Consider recruitment of individuals with greater abundance of NO3− reducing oral bacteria |
Mouthwash | Avoidance of mouthwash prior to and during the study |
Dietary controls | Avoidance of thiocyanate and sulphate rich foods in conjunction with NO3− |
Other lifestyle factors | Avoidance of smoking |
Outcomes | Inclusion of hard clinical endpoints (e.g., CVD or dementia incidence) to build upon promising findings on risk factors for these conditions |