Weight Loss Benefits of Beet and Arugula Extracts

Jim Crocker
10th August, 2024

Weight Loss Benefits of Beet and Arugula Extracts

Mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with Eruca sativa extract (R1) or a combination of Beta vulgaris and Eruca sativa extracts (B8 + R1) exhibited reduced liver mass (a) and improved liver steatosis based on H&E and Oil Red O staining (c), demonstrating that these nitrate- and hydrogen sulfide-releasing vegetable extracts attenuate hepatic lipid accumulation in diet-induced obesity.

Image adapted from: Markou et al. / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • The study by the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens explored the effects of beetroot and arugula extracts on obesity
  • Mice treated with these vegetable extracts showed less weight gain and reduced fat tissue compared to untreated mice
  • The extracts did not improve glucose tolerance or affect blood pressure in obese animals
Obesity is a significant global health issue, affecting over 2 billion adults worldwide. The prevalence of obesity has tripled in the last 50 years, leading to increased risks for various noncommunicable diseases. Recent research conducted by the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens has explored the potential benefits of green leafy vegetables, particularly focusing on Beta vulgaris (beetroot) and Eruca sativa (arugula), in combating obesity[1]. The study aimed to investigate the effects of extracts from these vegetables on lipid accumulation, glucose homeostasis, and body weight regulation. Previous studies have highlighted the beneficial properties of green leafy vegetables, attributing these effects to nitrates and isothiocyanates. Nitrates are known to convert into nitric oxide (NO), while isothiocyanates release hydrogen sulfide (H2S), both of which have been associated with various health benefits[2][3]. The research team screened extracts from Beta vulgaris and Eruca sativa for their ability to limit lipid accumulation in adipocytes (fat cells) and hepatocytes (liver cells) and to promote glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cultures. The most effective extracts were then tested in vivo using wild-type mice placed on a high-fat diet for eight weeks to induce weight gain. Mice treated with the selected extracts exhibited attenuated body weight gain compared to the control group. Additionally, treatment with these extracts led to a reduction in white adipose tissue depot mass and smaller adipocyte size. There was also a decrease in the expression of Dgat2 and PPARγ, genes associated with fat storage and adipocyte differentiation, respectively. Moreover, the extracts improved liver steatosis, a condition characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver. Interestingly, the extracts did not improve glucose tolerance in obese animals, nor did they affect blood pressure. This finding aligns with earlier research indicating that dietary nitrates and nitrites might not have a significant impact on blood pressure or renal function[3]. However, the anti-obesity effects observed in this study suggest that dietary supplements containing nitrates and sulfide-releasing compounds could be beneficial in limiting weight gain. The study's findings are supported by earlier research on the cardiovascular benefits of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). For instance, a study on mice demonstrated that hydrogen sulfide treatment reduced blood pressure, endothelial dysfunction, and vascular oxidative stress, highlighting its potential as a vasoprotective molecule[2]. Additionally, the role of nitric oxide (NO) in endothelial function has been well-documented, with advanced methods developed to measure its metabolites, nitrite, and nitrate, in biological samples[4]. These findings suggest that the beneficial properties of Beta vulgaris and Eruca sativa extracts may be partly due to their ability to release nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide, which have been shown to have various protective effects on the cardiovascular system and fat metabolism. In summary, the research conducted by the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens provides compelling evidence that extracts from Beta vulgaris and Eruca sativa can help mitigate obesity by reducing lipid accumulation and body weight. While these extracts did not improve glucose tolerance or affect blood pressure, their potential as dietary supplements for weight management is promising. This study builds on earlier findings regarding the health benefits of nitrates and hydrogen sulfide, offering new insights into the potential applications of these compounds in combating obesity.

VegetablesHealthFitness And Diet

References

Main Study

1) Anti-obesity effects of Beta vulgaris and Eruca sativa-based extracts.

Published 9th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8291

Related Studies

2) Hydrogen sulfide treatment reduces blood pressure and oxidative stress in angiotensin II-induced hypertensive mice.

https://doi.org/10.1038/hr.2014.125

3) Association between Dietary Intakes of Nitrate and Nitrite and the Risk of Hypertension and Chronic Kidney Disease: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8120811

4) Stable isotope-assisted LC-MS/MS monitoring of glyceryl trinitrate bioactivation in a cell culture model of nitrate tolerance.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchromb.2015.12.010


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