Beets are an excellent source of folate and a very good source of manganese, potassium, and copper. They are also a good source of dietary fiber, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin C, iron, and vitamin B6.
The beets belong to the same family as chard and spinach. Beet leaves have a bitter taste like chard, but is rich in chlorophyll. Although bitter, the greens have a higher nutritional value than its roots.
Both beet root and beet greens are very powerful cleansers and builders of the blood. Betacyanin is the phytochemicals in beet that gives it its rich 'amethyst' color that significantly reduces homocysteine levels.
Beets are loaded with vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and C. The greens have a higher content of iron compared to spinach. They are also an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, sodium, and iron.
While the sweet beet root has some of the minerals in its greens to a lesser degree, it is also a remarkable source of choline, folic acid, iodine, manganese, organic sodium, potassium, fiber and carbohydrates in the form of natural digestible sugars.
Its iron content, though not high, is of the highest and finest quality that makes excellent food that is blood building. This renders it highly effective in treating many ailments caused by our toxic environment and surrounding.
Beets have long been known for its amazing health benefits for almost every part of the body. And yet, it is something that very few people eat.
The benefits of organic beets is miraculous. Beets should be considered a medicine and eaten to prevent disease.
Forget the creams and the face-lift to anti-age. Anti-aging starts from the inside of your body. Your heart, liver, kidneys, and blood will reflect on the outside. Make salads with cooked vegetables such as: red cabbage, beets, spinach, kale, carrots, sprouted beans and eat on a regular basis.
FIGHTS INFLAMMATION
Betaine found in beets has been associated with lower levels of several inflammatory markers, including C reactive protein, interleukin-6, cyclo-oxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) and tumor necrosis factor. Beets are a unique source of phytonutrients called betalains, they have been shown to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support.
LIVER AND DETOXIFICATION SUPPORT
The betalin pigments in beets support the Phase 2 detoxification process through the liver which is involved in converting fat soluble metabolic waste and toxins into water soluble by-products that can be easily eliminated via the skin, kidneys and bowels.
EASES CONSTIPATION
Due to beets’ high fiber content combined with their Phase 2 detoxification support through the liver, beets can certainly get things moving along. Here are more tips for constipation.
Other than as a food, beets have use as a food coloring and as a medicinal plant. Many beet products are made from other Beta vulgaris varieties, particularly sugar beet.
Beets are highly nutritious and “cardiovascular health” friendly root vegetables. Certain unique pigment antioxidants in the root as well as in its top-greens have been found to offer protection against coronary artery disease and stroke, lower cholesterol levels within the body, and have anti-aging effects.
What's most striking about beets is not the fact that they are rich in antioxidants; what's striking is the unusual mix of antioxidants that they contain.
REASONS TO EAT BEETS
1. WEIGHT LOSS
Beets taste sweet, but a cup of cooked beet contains only 60 calories and is full of fiber. This is a perfect food for weight management.
The sugars in beets are smart carbs, since they come in a natural whole food form. Unlike white sugar, the beet calories come with a lot of nutrients and phytochemicals.
2. BRAIN AND ENERGY BOOST
Beets are high in natural nitrates, which are converted to nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide is known to expand the walls of blood vessels so you can enjoy more oxygen, more nutrients, and more energy.
Studies have shown nitric oxide to increase the efficiency of the mitochondria (your energy powerhouses).
3. SUPER ANTIOXIDANT FOR A LONG, HEALTHY, PAIN-FREE LIFE
Antioxidants help to reverse the daily accumulated wear and tear on the body, known as aging. Beets are a very good source of commonly known antioxidants like vitamin C and manganese, but it is their lesser-known antioxidants which give them their true value.
The blood-red color of beets comes from a powerful group of antioxidants called betalains. There are hundreds of studies on the positive health benefits of betalains.
A short summary of the results shows that they help in the areas of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and inflammation. If you go to Google Scholar and type in ‘betalains,’ you will see 110,000 references on this subject.
4. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY BENEFITS
The inflammatory response is a natural function of the body which saves our lives when it responds to the acute stresses in our lives, like bacterial infection and injury. Due to the constant stress in our modern lives, however, this inflammation becomes chronic. It is as though our body is constantly in a battle. Inflammation has been linked to a number of symptoms and diseases including:
- Wrinkles
- Susceptibility to infections
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- Bronchitis
- Chronic pain
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Osteoporosis
- Heart disease
- Candidiasis
5. CANCER PREVENTION
Preliminary tests suggest that beetroot ingestion can be one of the useful means to prevent lung and skin cancer. Other studies have shown that beet juice inhibits the formation of cancer-causing compounds called nitrosamines.
6. CELL DETOXIFICATION AND CLEANSING
The antioxidants in beets have been shown to support what is called phase 2 cleansing. In phase 2 cleansing, unwanted toxic substances are chemically combined with a small nutrient group. This combination neutralizes the toxin and makes them sufficiently water-soluble so they can be excreted through the urine.
This is therefore deep cleansing on a cellular level, which may have long term health benefits.
7. IMPROVED MENTAL HEALTH
The betalains in beets has been used in certain treatments of depression. It also contains tryptophan, which relaxes the mind and creates a sense of well-being.
HOW TO SELECT AND STORE
Choose small or medium-sized beets whose roots are firm, smooth-skinned and deep in color. Smaller, younger beets may be so tender that peeling won't be needed after they are cooked.
Avoid beets that have spots, bruises or soft, wet areas, all of which indicate spoilage. Shriveled or flabby should also be avoided as these are signs that the roots are aged, tough and fibrous.
EAT YOUR BEET GREENS TOO
Besides containing important nutrients like protein, phosphorus, zinc, fiber, vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium, copper, and manganese, beet greens also supply significant amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron.
Beet greens actually have even more iron than spinach (another leafy green in the same botanical family) as well as a higher nutritional value overall than the beetroot itself.
“WHAT ARE BEET GREENS GOOD FOR?”
You may be surprised to learn, for instance, that research shows beet greens may:
- Help ward off osteoporosis by boosting bone strength
- Fight Alzheimer's disease
- Strengthen your immune system by stimulating the production of antibodies and white blood cells
If you've never tried beet greens before, don't let them intimidate you. They can be sautéed lightly right along with other greens like spinach and Swiss chard. Consider the consumption of beets an important part of your diet.
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