Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is characterized by muscle pain, reduced muscle function and inflammation. It was recently shown that some of these indices can be reduced with acute beetroot juice (BTJ) supplementation (Clifford et al, 2015); however, the active compounds in BTJ responsible for these effects have not been elucidated. More specifically, whether these effects are mediated by nitrate or other phytonutrients (i.e., polyphenols) in BTJ has not been investigated. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of BTJ and a nitrate only drink (sodium nitrate; SN) on EIMD. Using a double blind, independent groups design, 30 recreationally active males were randomly assigned to a BTJ (n=10), SN (n=10) or an isocaloric placebo (PLA; n=10) group. The BTJ and SN drinks were matched for nitrate content (~210 mg) and energy content. Drinks were consumed (2 x 250 ml) immediately, 24 and 48 h after performing 100 drop jumps. To assess muscle damage, maximal isometric voluntary contractions (MIVC), countermovement jumps (CMJ), reactive strength index (RSI), pressure-pain threshold (PPT) creatine kinase (CK) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured pre, immediately post, 24, 48 and 72 h following the drop jumps. Values are mean±SD; statistical analysis was carried out with a mixed model ANOVA. The exercise bout caused a significant decrease in PPT across all groups (P = 0.001); however, the decrease was attenuated with BTJ compared to SN and PLA throughout the 72 h measurement period (P = 0.043). PPT had recovered to baseline values in the BTJ group by 72 h (104.3±25.9%) but remained depressed in both the SN (94.1±16.0%) and PLA groups (91.2±19.0%). Muscle function (MIVC, CMJ and RSI) was reduced following exercise by ~15-25% and did not recover to baseline by 72 h in all groups (P < 0.05); no group differences were observed (P > 0.05). Serum CK increased after exercise and peaked at 24 h post but no group differences were present (P > 0.05). hsCRP levels were unaltered by the exercise protocol (P > 0.05). These data suggest that BTJ supplementation might be a useful strategy to attenuate muscle pain associated with EIMD, and that any analgesic effects are likely due to phytonutrients in BTJ other than nitrate, or interactions between them. Further research is needed to clarify the potential differing effects of SN and BTJ on neuromuscular recovery.