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==Side Effects==
The only documented side effects of beetroot (other than the taste) is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beeturia Beeturia], which is pink or red colored urine. While this effect may be disconcerting, it is harmless and effects only about 10-14% of the healthy population. However, you are far more likely to have Beeturia if you are anemic, so have your blood checked if you get the symptoms, just in case. There are many other reported side effects of beetroot, including paralysis of vocal cords, have been reported on the internet, but I've found no documented cases and this appears to be urban legend<ref name="Livestrong"/>.
==Alternative Vegetables==
Other vegetables, such as spinach, also contain Nitrates, but I was not able to find any studies that directly supported these alternatives. Some studies<ref name="NaN"/> used Sodium Nitrate directly, at a level which may be equivalent to about 300g<ref name="spinach"/> of spinach. However, without further study, it's not clear if spinach or other vegetables would have the same effect.
==References==
<references>
<ref name="Spitting">Acute Blood Pressure Lowering, Vasoprotective, and Antiplatelet Properties of Dietary Nitrate via Bioconversion to Nitrite http://hyper.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/51/3/784?ijkey=5ec725973d624beded6be2d3792e3ed9a10b09d2</ref>
<ref name="Livestrong">What Are the Benefits of Drinking Beet Juice? http://www.livestrong.com/article/343584-what-are-the-benefits-of-drinking-beet-juice/</ref>
<ref name="NaN">Dietary Inorganic Nitrate Improves
Mitochondrial Efficiency in Humans http://www.meatami.com/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/66374</ref>
<ref name="spinach">Nitrate from spinach boosts muscle mitochondria function http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2011/02/02/nitrate-spinach-boosts-muscle-mitochondria/</ref>
</references>