One study showed that D-ribose improved diastolic functional performance of the heart, increased exercise tolerance, and significantly improved the quality of life of patients. More than 100 papers have been completed or published on its cardiovascular health benefits. In short: Ribose plays a role in the manufacture of glucose, which is used in the body in metabolic processes, including energy production and, cyclically, production of ribose. Ribose also converts to pyruvate, which can combine with oxygen in the metabolic pathways to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - the energy source for all muscles. Ribose is the prime ingredient in the production of ATP.