The studies were specifically about the dreaded NO, which we know Peat is not a fan since it is one of the major (neuro)toxins in the body. The bodybuilding and sports community in general are popping arginine/citruline pills like crazy hoping that the increase in NO will be beneficial to their bodies and physical/mental performance. The latest studies seem to confirm that arginine/citruline do work as expected in increasing NO, but that has a profound negative effect on metabolism and inhibits RMR (and O2 consumption) by over 4% almost immediately after consumption. While the studies focus on supplements boosting NO, they also discuss the variety of nitrate/nitrite rich vegetables like spinach and beets, and say that consuming those vegetables will probably have the same effect as the pills.
So, be mindful of how much nitrate/nitrite rich foods you are consuming!
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24500154
"...The RMR was 4.2% lower after nitrate compared with placebo administration, and the change correlated strongly to the degree of nitrate accumulation in saliva (r2 = 0.71). The thyroid hormone status, insulin sensitivity, glucose uptake, plasma concentration of isoprostanes, and total antioxidant capacity were unaffected by nitrate. The administration of nitrite to human primary myotubes acutely inhibited respiration."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21284982
"...We conclude that dietary nitrate has profound effects on basal mitochondrial function."
So, be mindful of how much nitrate/nitrite rich foods you are consuming!
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24500154
"...The RMR was 4.2% lower after nitrate compared with placebo administration, and the change correlated strongly to the degree of nitrate accumulation in saliva (r2 = 0.71). The thyroid hormone status, insulin sensitivity, glucose uptake, plasma concentration of isoprostanes, and total antioxidant capacity were unaffected by nitrate. The administration of nitrite to human primary myotubes acutely inhibited respiration."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21284982
"...We conclude that dietary nitrate has profound effects on basal mitochondrial function."