London, Aug 7 - Daily intake of beetroot juice boosts your stamina and could help you exercise up to 16 percent longer, according to new research.

A University of Exeter (U-E) led-study shows for the first time how nitrate in beetroot juice leads to a reduction in oxygen uptake, therefore making exercise less tiring.

Study co-author Andy Jones, professor at the U-E School of Sport and Health Sciences, said: 'We were amazed by the effects of beetroot juice on oxygen uptake because these effects cannot be achieved by any other known means, including training.'

The research team believes that the findings could be of great interest to endurance athletes. They could also be relevant to elderly people or those with cardiovascular, respiratory or metabolic diseases.

The research team conducted their study with eight men aged between 19 and 38. They were given 500 ml of organic beetroot juice daily for six consecutive days before completing a series of tests, involving cycling on an exercise bike.