Beetroot Juice and FET: Can this superfood improve your chances?

In the world of fertility treatments, every little bit of help counts. One intervention that has gained attention recently is beet juice. Rich in nitrates, beet juice can help boost blood flow, which is key for a healthy uterine lining, an essential factor in the success of Frozen Embryo Transfers (FET) during an IVF cycle. 

Beet juice works by converting dietary nitrates into nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes blood vessels, improving circulation. Better blood flow to the uterus may enhance the thickness and receptivity of the endometrial lining, an important factor in embryo implantation.

Although large-scale clinical trials are limited, some smaller studies have found positive outcomes. A study published in The Journal of Clinical Hypertension noted that beetroot juice enhances nitric oxide production and blood vessel dilation, which may have implications for fertility by improving uterine perfusion and lining thickness (Kapil et al., 2015).  

Another very interesting study found that implantation rates (24.2% vs. 17.8%, p<0.001) and clinical pregnancy rates (41.0% vs. 21.6%, p: 0.039) were significantly higher in a group of patients who were instructed to intake a daily dose of homemade juice prepared with fresh beetroot, watermelon and ginger, from the day of embryo transfer until the day of pregnancy test. A significant difference in miscarriage rate was noted between the intervention group (beetroot juice) and control groups (0.0 % vs. 18.0%, p <0.001).

At Mint Integrative Health, where a holistic approach to fertility is emphasized, beet juice can be part of a comprehensive plan that includes nutrition, acupuncture, and other supportive therapies. 

References
Kapil, V., Weitzberg, E., & Lundberg, J. O. (2015). Clinical evidence demonstrating the importance of dietary nitrate. The Journal of Clinical Hypertension: 17(7): 525-530.

Halpern et al. (2019). Beetroot, watermelon and ginger juice supplementation may increase the clinical outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles.  Fertility and Sterility: 112(3): e3