How to Get More Energy in the Morning with Red Spinach

If you’re trying to figure out how to get more energy in the morning, your answer may lie in something deeper than caffeine — your diet, circulation, and nitric oxide levels.

Both our diet and our nervous system influence how easily we fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up refreshed. Studies show that nitric oxide (NO) — a molecule your body naturally produces — plays a key role in regulating circadian rhythms, the internal clock that governs sleep and wake cycles.

Nitric oxide is produced in the body through several mechanisms, one of which is dietary nitrate intake from foods like red spinach and beets. These plant nitrates convert into nitric oxide, improving circulation, oxygen delivery, and cellular energy — all of which affect how you feel when the day begins.

Here’s how to leverage nitric oxide to wake up with more energy and focus — naturally.

How to Boost Morning Energy with Beetroot and Red Spinach

Research continues to reveal the connection between nitric oxide, the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for rest and digestion), and energy metabolism. Nitric oxide acts as a neuromodulator — a signaling molecule that helps the body adjust to daily light and activity cycles.

Levels of nitric oxide tend to be lowest in the morning, especially as we age. Sunlight, movement, and nitrate-rich foods are all natural ways to replenish it. In fact, the sun itself acts as a nitric oxide booster by triggering its release through the skin.

Because nitric oxide is directly tied to vascular health and oxygen flow, it’s also linked to how alert, focused, and energized we feel after waking.

Red Spinach: The Most Potent Plant Source of Natural Nitrate

While beetroot has long been known for its endurance benefits, red spinach (Amaranthus species) contains up to three times more natural nitrate — making it one of the most efficient ways to boost nitric oxide.

A 2019 study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that athletes taking a red spinach supplement experienced better speed, endurance, and oxygen efficiency compared to a placebo group.

Because nitric oxide peaks about 2–3 hours after consumption, using a red spinach supplement in the morning can deliver sustained energy and improved circulation throughout the day.

Unlike synthetic stimulants, red spinach works by supporting blood flow and oxygenation, giving you clean, plant-based energy that doesn’t spike or crash.

For an easy morning boost, check out our nitric oxide-boosting red spinach products at NutriGardens — designed to help you start your day with energy that lasts. 

Try Our Nitric Oxide Food

Natural Ways to Increase Nitric Oxide and Morning Energy

In addition to diet, lifestyle habits can naturally enhance nitric oxide production and support steady energy levels:

1. Nose Breathing
Breathing through your nose produces nitric oxide in the paranasal sinuses, which helps dilate airways and increase oxygen uptake. Practicing nose breathing or breathwork for 5–15 minutes in the morning can reduce stress and awaken the body naturally.

2. Movement and Exercise
A study from the University of Tsukuba, Japan found that even light aerobic activity can raise nitric oxide levels. Morning walks, yoga, or cycling not only boost blood flow but also help regulate the circadian rhythm for more consistent energy throughout the day.

3. Sun Exposure
Natural sunlight stimulates nitric oxide release through the skin, supporting both energy and vascular function. Try getting 10–15 minutes of sunlight exposure shortly after waking.

4. Hydration Before Caffeine
Because dehydration is one of the top causes of fatigue, drinking a full glass of water before coffee helps restore cellular balance and wakefulness.

The Role of Diet and Sleep in Morning Energy

Sustainable morning energy depends on diet, sleep quality, and hydration.

A plant-based diet rich in nitrate-dense foods supports nitric oxide production and enhances energy metabolism. Top sources include red spinach, beets, arugula, celery, and leafy greens.

A study from the Neurosciences Research Center of Lyon found that nitric oxide may also help regulate the sleep-wake cycle, meaning it plays a role in both how well you sleep and how energized you feel afterward.

Pairing good sleep hygiene with nitric oxide-supporting foods or supplements creates a natural foundation for vitality, clarity, and endurance.

Morning Habits to Maximize Energy

Creating a nitric oxide-friendly routine can transform how you feel in the morning. Try combining the following habits:

Start the day with a red spinach or beet supplement to restore nitric oxide levels after sleep.

Get sunlight exposure within an hour of waking.

Practice nose breathing to activate nitric oxide and calm the nervous system.

Move your body — even light exercise increases oxygen flow and circulation.

Stay hydrated and include nitrate-rich foods throughout the day.

This combination supports healthy blood flow, brain clarity, and sustained energy — the kind that lasts long after the caffeine wears off.

If you want to wake up energized and stay focused throughout the day, look beyond stimulants and focus on your nitric oxide levels. Red spinach is one of the most powerful natural ways to do this — it’s rich in plant nitrates that help your body produce nitric oxide, improve blood flow, and increase oxygen delivery.

A nitrate-rich morning sets the tone for better energy, endurance, and focus.
Try adding a red spinach or beet supplement to your routine and see the difference a natural nitric oxide boost can make.

Start your day strong — check out NutriGardens’ nitric oxide-boosting red spinach products for clean, lasting energy.

Try Our Nitric Oxide Food