Nitric oxide food sources

Foods containing nitrates naturally raise levels of nitric oxide produced in the body. Nitrates are often added to foods to preserve them as well (such as processed meats), these nitrates should be avoided. Naturally occurring nitrates found in many foods are very healthy and help promote production of nitric oxide. Here is a list of foods high in nitrates:

• green leafy vegetables (contain naturally occurring nitrates)
• aubergine
• beetroot
• broccoli
• cabbage and kale
• chard
• cucumber
• fennel
• garlic
• kohlrabi
• lettuce especially rocket, iceberg, cos
• pumpkin
• radishes, especially black radish
• string beans
• Beets
• Celery
• Lettuce
• Radishes and
• Spinach
• cocoa/chocolate
• watermelon

Exercise is also another way to get blood pumping as well as boost production of nitric oxide. There are a number of supplements that help boost nitric oxide production as well. They are particularly popular among weight lifters. Some may even contain Nitric Oxide (NO) itself but it is best to boost nitric oxide production naturally as supplementing with nitric oxide directly may lead to lowering your body's stores of B12 and other health complications. It is always best to either supplement with a co enzyme or a precursor to whatever you are trying to boost when possible.

Arginine and Citruline are two amino acids that are often used to promote nitric oxide. Lately research has shown that arginine has very little effect on promoting nitric oxide. This is because arginine is easily broken down by our digestive system and not easily absorbed. Citruline on the other hand when broken down by our digestive system is converted into citruline which is then used to boost nitric oxide. Citruline malate is the best form of citruline to supplement with in regards to boosting nitric oxide in the body.

Forms of arginine such as arginine ethyl ester and Arginine alpha-ketoglutarate are more easily digested and utilized by the body, because of the added ingredients to those forms of arginine to make it more usable/digestible by the body.

Other common supplements to boost nitric oxide are hawthorne extract, beet(root) extract, agmatine sulfate (although those with sulfur/thiol sensitivity may want to avoid it), and beta alanine amino acid.