Beets the deep red roots most often do not get the importance as most other super foods get; in fact, beet is far more beneficial than one would normally presume. If you are a fitness enthusiast the first thing that comes to your mind when you get out exercising is that you should never leave your house on an empty stomach. Most experts advise you to take a fruit such as apple, milk or some wheat bread and so on.
However beet juice could actually give you more energy and stamina, improves blood flow in your body and also helps lower blood pressure. These are the major concerns when one tries to strengthen muscles and build a strong body.
Beet Nutritional Values
Beet roots were used by ancient Romas as medicine to cure fever and constipation, even wound were cured by binding beetroot leaves on them. From a long time beet roots have been used in traditional medicine, the advent of sugar industry changed the use of beet. Recent studies however has revied the uses of beet mainly due to various studies conducted and positive results published.
Betalin
The deep red colour of beet root is imparted by the colouring pigment Betalin. This betalin is an excellent antioxidant, it has anti-inflammatory properties and helps in detoxification too. Recent studies claim that betalin shows anti- cancer activity too.
Nitrates
Beets are rich sources of nitrates, these nitrates change into nitric acid when they enter the body by undergoing into many chain reactions. The nitric acid helps in blood flow in the body thereby maintaining the blood pressure.
Vitamins and Minerals
Beets have high folic acid and manganese content in them. Vitamins and minerals present are listed below
| Vitamins | Quantity | Minerals |
| Vitamin A
Vitamin C Vitamin K |
27% RDA
50% RDA 500% RDA |
CalciumIron
Magnesium Potasium Copper Sulfur Silica |
Benefits of Beet
- Acts against Many Chronic Diseases
A number of chronic diseases such as Arthritis, heart diseases, kidney problems and so on are related to the inorganic calcium deposits in the body. Beet juice acts as a good solvent for these inorganic calcium deposits and thus relieves the body from most of these chronic diseases. In fact beet is a strongly recommended detoxing agent of the body and can be used if you want to get rid of toxins and bacterial agents from your stomach.
- Acts Against Skin Diseases
Inflammations, acne and blemishes is cleared from the skin with regular intake of beet juice. Your skin begins to get a good glow and your hair also begins growing robustly, this is mainly because of the high amount of iron present in beet.
- Prevents Cancer
Research shows that beet has properties to prevent cancer. The betacyanin present in beet helps in preventing the formation of cancerous tumors in the body. Reversals of many types of cancers have also been seen, such as leukemia, colon, lung, skin, liver, spleen, and breast, prostate and testicular cancer.
- Prevents Birth Defects
Pregnant women can take 100 grams of beet juice or beet in any other form provides 27% RDA for folic acid and thus is very effective in preventing birth defects.
- Improves Eye Health
The beet greens are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, two important carotenoids that are extremely beneficial for the retina of the eyes. It is important to take raw beet root for harnessing these carotenoids, because cooking destroys them.
- Cures Anemia
Beet has 14% RDA of iron and thus helps to prevent and cure anemia. The iron is a good oxidant and the antioxidants present in beet prevents the oxidants from getting damaged, thus the value of iron present in beet is higher than that present in other sources.
- Protects Liver
The Betaine present in beet protects the health of liver by stimulating the function of liver cells and bile ducts. Detoxifying enzymes such as SOD, catalase and glutathione produced in liver are increased by the beet fiber.
How to Take Beet
You can take beet in the following form
- Beet juice ? either pure beet juice or combined with carrot juice or mosambi juice.
- Salad ? raw beet can be taken in the form of salads
- Pickled ? You can make pickle out of beet using vinegar and consume.
Beet thus is one vegetable which gives innumerable benefits and if taken regularly could make great positive changes in your health.
