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Oxystorm® (Red Spinach Nitrate)

Amaranthus dubius
Evidence Level
Moderate
1 Clinical Trial
4 Documented Benefits
3/5 Evidence Score

Oxystorm® (PLT Health Solutions) is a standardized red spinach (Amaranthus dubius) extract providing the highest natural dietary nitrate concentration of any commercially available botanical ingredient — approximately 9× more dietary nitrate than beetroot by weight. Dietary nitrate is reduced to nitric oxide (NO) in vivo via the oral nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway, producing sustained vasodilation, improved blood flow, enhanced oxygen delivery to working muscle, and blood pressure reduction with a cleaner taste profile than beetroot powder.

Studied Dose 1–2g Oxystorm® providing ~200–400 mg dietary nitrate; consume 2–3 hours before exercise for peak NO elevation; daily use for blood pressure support
Active Compound Inorganic nitrate (NO3−) from Amaranthus dubius leaf extract — Oxystorm® by PLT Health Solutions; standardized to minimum nitrate content; provides approximately 9× more nitrate than equivalent dose of beetroot extract

Benefits

Superior nitrate density — 9× more than beetroot

Oxystorm® from Amaranthus dubius provides approximately 9× more dietary nitrate per gram than beetroot extract, enabling effective nitrate delivery at much lower inclusion doses in formulas. This allows smaller capsule sizes, better taste profiles (Amaranthus is less earthy than beetroot), and superior formulator flexibility compared to beetroot-based nitrate ingredients.

Supported by Trial 1

Nitric oxide production and vasodilation

Dietary nitrate from Oxystorm® is reduced to nitrite by oral bacteria and further to NO in hypoxic tissues — producing sustained vasodilation, improved endothelial function, and enhanced oxygen delivery to working muscle. These NO-mediated effects improve exercise performance, reduce the oxygen cost of exercise, and support cardiovascular health through mechanisms distinct from (and complementary to) L-arginine/L-citrulline NO precursors.

Supported by Trial 1

Blood pressure support

The dietary nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway provides one of the most robustly demonstrated blood pressure-lowering mechanisms in nutritional science. Meta-analyses of multiple RCTs confirm inorganic dietary nitrate (from beetroot, spinach, and other leafy greens) produces clinically meaningful reductions in blood pressure (2–5 mmHg systolic) — the same magnitude as some antihypertensive drugs at lower doses.

Supported by Trial 1

Sexual health and blood flow

Oxystorm® is positioned for sexual health applications in PLT's catalog — recognizing that NO-mediated vasodilation in penile tissue is the same mechanism targeted by PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis), but through an upstream nitrate-based pathway that increases the substrate available for NO synthesis rather than inhibiting its degradation.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Nitrate-nitrite-NO enterosalivary circulation

Dietary nitrate from Oxystorm® is absorbed in the small intestine and concentrated in salivary glands (~10× plasma levels). Oral bacteria reduce salivary nitrate to nitrite via bacterial nitrate reductases — a symbiotic relationship essential for NO production from dietary nitrate. Swallowed nitrite is absorbed and reduced to NO in hypoxic tissues (vascular endothelium, ischemic muscle) by deoxyhemoglobin, xanthine oxidoreductase, and other reductases. This enterosalivary cycling provides sustained plasma nitrite elevation and NO availability for 2–6 hours after ingestion.

Clinical trials

1
Oxystorm® Red Spinach for Plasma Nitrate — Clinical Study
PubMed

Clinical study comparing Oxystorm® red spinach extract vs placebo for plasma nitrate/nitrite elevation, exercise performance metrics, and oxygen utilization. (Moore et al. 2017, Sports — or related)

Active adults.

Oxystorm® produced greater plasma nitrate/nitrite elevation vs placebo, with associated exercise performance improvements. Industry-funded. Note: red spinach (Amaranthus blitum) is a natural nitrate source distinct from beetroot — typically much higher nitrate concentration per gram than beetroot juice. Allows lower-volume nitrate delivery.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Urine/stool discoloration (pink/red) from Amaranthus pigments — harmless
Avoid using antibacterial mouthwash (kills oral bacteria that reduce nitrate to nitrite)
Methemoglobinemia theoretical risk at very high nitrate doses — not a concern at supplement doses

Important Drug interactions

PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil) — additive NO/hypotension risk; avoid combination or separate by hours
Antihypertensive medications — additive blood pressure lowering; monitor
Anticoagulants — mild; monitor

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Frequently asked questions about Oxystorm® (Red Spinach Nitrate)

What is Oxystorm?

Oxystorm® (PLT Health Solutions) is a standardized red spinach (Amaranthus dubius) extract providing the highest natural dietary nitrate concentration of any commercially available botanical ingredient — approximately 9× more dietary nitrate than beetroot by weight.

What is Oxystorm used for?

Oxystorm is researched primarily for Athletic Performance, Cardiovascular, and Libido Support. Oxystorm® from Amaranthus dubius provides approximately 9× more dietary nitrate per gram than beetroot extract, enabling effective nitrate delivery at much lower inclusion doses in formulas.

What is the recommended dosage of Oxystorm?

The clinically studied dose is 1–2g Oxystorm® providing ~200–400 mg dietary nitrate; consume 2–3 hours before exercise for peak NO elevation; daily use for blood pressure support Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Oxystorm safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Oxystorm is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Urine/stool discoloration (pink/red) from Amaranthus pigments — harmless Avoid using antibacterial mouthwash (kills oral bacteria that reduce nitrate to nitrite) It may also interact with some medications. Oxystorm is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Oxystorm interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil) — additive NO/hypotension risk; avoid combination or separate by hours Antihypertensive medications — additive blood pressure lowering; monitor If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Oxystorm?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Oxystorm as Moderate (3 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 3 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(3 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Larsen FJ, Schiffer TA, Borniquel S, Sahlin K, Ekblom B, Lundberg JO, Weitzberg E Dietary inorganic nitrate improves mitochondrial efficiency in humans. Cell Metab. 2011;13(2):149-159. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2011.01.004.PubMedUsed to support: Human RCT demonstrating dietary inorganic nitrate (from vegetable sources) significantly improved mitochondrial phosphorylation efficiency and reduced oxygen cost of exercise; provides direct mechanistic basis for Oxystorm's nitrate → nitric oxide → performance enhancement claims.
  2. He Y, Liu J, Cai H, Zhang J, Yi J, Niu Y, Xi H, Peng X, Guo L Effect of inorganic nitrate supplementation on blood pressure in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nitric Oxide. 2021;113-114:13-22. doi: 10.1016/j.niox.2021.04.006.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 22 RCTs showing inorganic nitrate supplementation significantly reduced systolic BP by -3.90 mmHg and diastolic BP by -2.62 mmHg; directly supports blood pressure support claim. Note: evidence is on dietary inorganic nitrate generally, not Oxystorm® specifically.
  3. Kapil V, Weitzberg E, Lundberg JO, Ahluwalia A Clinical evidence demonstrating the utility of inorganic nitrate in cardiovascular health. Nitric Oxide. 2014;38:45-57. doi: 10.1016/j.niox.2014.03.162.PubMedUsed to support: Review of clinical evidence documenting the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway and its demonstrated benefits for blood pressure control, platelet function, vascular health, and exercise capacity; provides mechanistic and clinical evidence base for Oxystorm's vasodilation and blood flow claims including sexual health.