Actively Recruiting
Use of Beetroot Juice to Protect Against Postoperative Ileus Following Colorectal Surgery: BEET IT Study
Led by University Hospital, Ghent · Updated on 2026-02-10
170
Participants Needed
6
Research Sites
65 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University Hospital, Ghent
Lead Sponsor
R
Research Foundation Flanders
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating if drinking beetroot juice before laparoscopic colorectal surgery can improve recovery of the digestive system and reduce how long postoperative ileus (POI) lasts. POI is a common complication after abdominal surgery, causing nausea, vomiting, and delayed bowel movements, sometimes lasting longer and leading to more health problems and longer hospital stays. Beetroot juice is rich in nitrate, which may help restore nitric oxide levels important in healing and inflammation, potentially aiding recovery. This study is a phase II multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial involving adult patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group drinks seven daily 70 mL shots of concentrated beetroot juice before surgery, while the other group drinks nitrate-depleted beetroot juice as a placebo for the same period. The intervention starts one week before surgery. The beetroot juice is provided by BEET IT sport NITRATE 400, and both active and placebo shots are taken once daily in the morning for seven consecutive days. The study includes blood, tissue, and fecal sample collection at specific times before and after surgery to analyze markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and gastrointestinal function. Participants are followed from one week before surgery until three months after surgery. Researchers will monitor recovery times of gastrointestinal function, including times until first passage of gas and stool, and tolerance of liquids and foods. They will also track the incidence of prolonged POI, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications up to three months, and biomarker levels at four time points. The study uses quadruple masking to ensure unbiased results and takes place at five hospitals in Flanders, Belgium.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Use of Beetroot Juice to Protect Against Postoperative Ileus Following Colorectal Surgery: BEET IT Study
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adult patients undergoing elective colonic and upper rectum laparoscopic surgery requiring an anastomosis, without need for conversion
You will not qualify if you...
- Under 18 years of age
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Psychiatric conditions affecting understanding or judgment
- History of inflammatory bowel disease
- Chronic vascular disease affecting intestines
- Chronic constipation (2 or fewer bowel movements per week)
- Previous abdominal or pelvic radiation treatment
- Recent or current intra-abdominal infection or inflammation (within 3 months)
- Use of medications affecting gut motility (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, chronic laxatives)
- Use of nitrates including daily beetroot juice unless stopped for one month before intervention
- Low blood pressure (less than 100/60 mmHg)
- Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
- Kidney or liver failure
- Known allergy or intolerance to beetroot or nitrates/nitrites
- Participation in other clinical trials unless approved by Ethics Committee
- History of prior colorectal surgery
- Emergency surgery
- Open surgery
- Colorectal surgery not requiring an anastomosis
- More than one bowel anastomosis planned
- Required additional surgical procedures (e.g., liver or lung metastases resection)
- Planned protective stoma
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Duration - 7 days before surgery
Participants take 7 daily shots of either concentrated beetroot juice or nitrate-depleted placebo juice in the morning for 7 consecutive days before surgery.
7 daily visits or self-administrations before surgery
Duration - Until hospital discharge after surgery
Participants undergo laparoscopic colorectal surgery followed by immediate post-operative care focusing on gastrointestinal recovery.
Hospital stay visits until discharge
Duration - Up to 3 months after surgery
Participants are monitored for postoperative complications and gastrointestinal function recovery for up to 3 months after surgery.
Follow-up visits during 3 months post-surgery
Trial Site Locations
Total: 6 locations
1
Antwerp University Hospital
Edegem, Belgium, 2650
Actively Recruiting
2
Hospital East-Limburg
Genk, Belgium, 3600
Active, Not Recruiting
3
AZ Sint-Lucas Ghent
Ghent, Belgium, 9000
Actively Recruiting
4
Ghent University Hospital
Ghent, Belgium, 9000
Actively Recruiting
5
University Hospital Leuven
Leuven, Belgium, 3000
Actively Recruiting
6
VITAZ
Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, 9100
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
W
Wim Ceelen, MD, PhD
K
Karen De Meuleneir, MSc
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
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