Superbeets vs Beetelite: Which Beets Supplement Is Best?

Then again, so does another beet-based powder called Beetelite.

Making matters even more interesting, both products are made by the same brand!

At Lifehacker Guy, we’ve researched this brand, HumanN, pretty extensively. Here’s what we’ve learned about its two landmark beet products, Superbeets and Beetelite. Are they among the best red powder supplements? Keep reading to learn more.

Beets: An Underrated Superfood?

The benefits of beetroot powder are surprisingly vast. Most of these benefits can be attributed to the fact that consuming beets raises your body’s levels of nitric oxide, an important metabolic molecule that promotes dilation and circulation. In addition to being rich in flavonoids and other antioxidants, beets are even good for your liver!

Here’s some more info, in the words of the brand that makes Superbeets and Beetelite:

Beets (fermented and non-fermented) are emerging as one of nature’s most potent superfoods, providing certain essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. But where this superfood shines is that it’s a great source of dietary nitrates, which help your body produce Nitric Oxide. Depending on the naturally occurring level of nitrates in the beets you eat, which can be highly variable, you might have to eat a lot of beets in order for your body to experience the N-O benefits you’re looking for, which isn’t always feasible.

What is Superbeets?

Before diving deep into the stats on Superbeets, let’s take a quick look at the company behind this supplement: HumanN. A cursory look at HumanN’s website makes it clear that they take a science-based, almost pharmaceutical approach to their products.

The company got its start in 2009. By 2011 they were bringing new products to market, and by 2014 they were doing clinical studies involving their products (a rarity among supplement/nutraceutical companies). HumanN is one of the few supplement companies that can accurately claim to be physician-backed.

In 2013 the company released both Superbeets (marketed to the supplement market) and Beetelite (marketed to athletes). Both products got their power from a novel beet crystal concentrate.

In addition to creating NO2-boosting products, HumanN also contributes to researching this important molecule. The company tests its products specifically for how they affect nitric oxide levels and tends to market its products to science-conscious athletes.

“We approach Nitric Oxide holistically,” HumanN explains on their website, going on to explain why:

Our team of scientists spans food science, nutrition, physiology, and kinesiology

Our science leadership team includes one of the world’s leading Nitric Oxide researchers and also one of the world’s top sports nutrition scientists

Our functional foods and supplements are backed by 15 years of research at the University of Texas

We’ve conducted seven clinical trials on our own products

Pretty impressive, right? Company backstory aside, HumanN’s Superbeets features a simple beetroot-based formula. It’s also rich in antioxidants like vitamin C (Source).

What is Beetelite?

BeetElite is another HumanN-made beetroot formula. This one takes the concept of Superbeets even further by featuring higher doses of beetroot and vitamin C.

In theory, this should allow users to experience even higher nitric oxide levels. HumanN markets Beetelite specifically to athletes, citing its ability to boost NO2, reduce oxidative damage, improve immunity, and boost cardiovascular health.

Superbeets vs. Beetelite Benefits

Superbeets and Beetelite have their own sets of health benefits, although said benefits heavily overlap. Here’s more info.

Superbeets

Beetroot dosing is usually based on the nitrate content it contains. 6.4-12.8 milligrams per kilogram of body weight is a common target for nitrate values. That equates to over 400 milligrams of nitrate consumption for the average 150lb person — and that equates to consuming half a kilogram of beetroot!

As you might suspect, Superbeets’ 5mg serving doesn’t contain half a kile of beetroot.

Does it contain enough beetroot to tangibly impact your health, though? Let’s see what customers say.

Superbeets: does it have good customer reviews?

Check out SuperBeets’ Amazon page and you’ll see that it has over 1,000 customer reviews averaging 3.8/5 stars. 48% of reviewers gave a 5-star review, while 20% gave a 1-star review.

Here are some of the less positive ones:

Didn't give me the energy that it claim to. Did not lower my blood pressure.” – 1 star

This material is a joke……as an older athlete and retired physician, I noticed absolutely no boost in energy or change in my blood pressure…which I monitor daily.” – 1 star

Other customers, however, claim that Superbeets is so invigorating they have to be careful not to take it near bedtime.

Beetelite

Beetelite can be thought of as Superbeets on steroids. (Well, not actually, as steroids are banned among elite athletes.)

HumanN’s Beetelite formula is designed to improve exercise tolerance and boost exercise performance. It also features a hefty dose of vitamin C.

Beetelite: does it have good customer reviews?

What do customers say about Beetelite, though?

It appears that this one gets slightly better reviews than Superbeets does. Nonetheless, you’ll still find some critiques among the product’s Amazon reviews:

I have not felt any energy improvement but it may be too soon. The taste takes some getting used to – I mix mine with vanilla protein powder and fiber to make it palatable.3 starts

[I] haven't got no change in blood pressure or energy yet […] only been taking [it] about two weeks.” – 2 stars

Superbeets vs. Beetelite Ingredients

Superbeets and Beetelite feature very similar ingredient list…just in different quantities. Here are some additional details.

Superbeets

A single teaspoon of SuperBeets contains the NO-boosting ability of approximately three whole beets. That may allow it to:

• Promote higher NO2 levels
• Support circulation
• Normalize blood pressure
• Increase energy and stamina

Here’s the full list of ingredients present in each serving:

• Non-GMO Beetroot Powder
• Non-GMO fermented Beetroot Powder
• Natural Back Cherry flavor
• Malic Acid
• Magnesium Ascorbate
• Stevia Leaf Extract
• 83% RDV vitamin C

Beetelite

Like Superbeets, BeetElite contains just 6 ingredients. You won’t find any unnecessary fillers here!

Here’s the full list of ingredients present in each serving:

• Non-GMO Beetroot Powder
• Non-GMO fermented Beetroot Powder
• Natural Back Cherry flavor
• Malic Acid
• Magnesium Ascorbate
• Stevia Leaf Extract
• 167% RDV vitamin C

Superbeets vs. Beetelite Taste

In case you weren’t already suspecting this, Superbeets and Beetelite have nearly identical tastes.

Superbeets

Superbeets are available in two flavors: Black Cherry and Original. Both flavors somewhat mask the taste of the beets with stevia.

Beetelite

Beetelite is available in one flavor: Black Cherry. This version features a natural cherry flavor that’s heightened and amplified with stevia extract.

Amazon reviews that mention flavor are mostly positive — which is a rarity among beetroot supplements.

Superbeets vs. Beetelite Cost

Most beetroot supplements are more affordable than the vast majority of other popular supplements, and these two products are no exception.

Superbeets

One tub of Superbeets contains twenty (small) servings and costs $39.95. From there things get more and more affordable:

• Buy 2 tubs for $79.90 and get 1 free tub
• Buy 4 tubs for $149.90 and get 2 free tubs

Beetelite

Beetelite’s pricing is nearly identical to Superbeets’. One tub contains twenty (small) servings and costs $39.95. That comes out to just under $2 per serving.

From there, things get more and more affordable. You can get your tubs for $34.95 each if you get a prescription. Buy 4 tubs, as we mentioned above, and you’ll essentially be getting each serving for just $1.08!

Even then, though, Beetelite may not be quite as affordable as it seems. I’m not convinced that the 5mg of beet extract in each serving is enough to tangibly improve NO2 levels.

A significant portion of customer reviews seems to agree.

Superbeets vs. Beetelite: Which is Better?

If maximum exercise performance is what you’re after, consider Beetelite your go-to choice. If you’re like the rest of us and take exercise a little more casually, however, then consider Superbeets.

Regardless of which option you choose, be aware that you may need a higher dose of beetroot powder than HumanN advertises — if you want to feel anything, at least.

Another thing to keep in mind: both Superbeets and Beetelite have the advantage of being manufactured by a trustworthy, science-based company. They’re not just repackaged from another wholesaler.

If you’re looking for a better-rounded reds supplement, however, you may want to broaden your horizons. HumanN’s products focus almost entirely on nitric oxide!