Pulsed Electric Field Processing Enhances the Endothelial Bioefficacy of Red Beet ( Beta vulgaris L.) Extracts by Restoring Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase–Nitric Oxide Signaling in High‐Fat Diet Rats

Endothelial dysfunction is a central mechanism underlying the development of major cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and atherosclerosis. Red beet ( Beta vulgaris L.)–derived products are widely recognized as functional dietary components that support metabolic and vascular health, and multiple extraction strategies have been explored to optimize their biological efficacy. Pulsed electric field (PEF) processing has emerged as a nonthermal approach capable of enhancing the recovery of plant‐derived bioactive compounds by increasing cellular permeability, while avoiding thermal degradation. However, the influence of PEF processing on endothelial‐specific outcomes, including NO bioavailability, vascular remodeling, and endothelium‐dependent function, has not been systematically investigated. In this study, we examined whether PEF processing qualitatively alters the vascular bioefficacy of red beet extracts in a high‐fat diet–induced model of endothelial dysfunction. PEF‐treated extracts restored endothelial signaling and improved vascular functional responsiveness to a greater extent than conventionally extracted preparations. Our findings demonstrate that PEF‐treated red beet extracts exert superior protective effects on endothelial function compared with non‐PEF–treated preparations. These results indicate that processing technology itself represents a biologically relevant determinant of vascular efficacy and highlight the potential of PEF‐based approaches to enhance the endothelial benefits of plant‐derived functional ingredients.