Beetroot juice could help musicians hold breath

Taking a shot of concentrated beetroot juice could help divers and swimmers hold their breath for up to 11 per cent longer and enable musicians and singers to sustain notes for a greater length of time, a study suggests.

The juice helps the body perform more efficiently because it contains high levels of nitrate, which once inside the body is broken down into a compound called nitric oxide.

This helps our muscles to perform to the same level as normal while using up less oxygen, meaning each breath can keep us going for longer, scientists explained.