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What are the health benefits of beets?
Beets: that super reddish/pinkish vegetable that you may be afraid to try. But what if it is a superfood that is filled with antioxidants and nutrients and easy to incorporate into your daily routine? The fact is, the beet is a highly nutritious food that can and should earn a place on your dinner menu, in your smoothies, or in your salad. From high nutritional content to their heart health benefits, beets definitely qualify as a superfood. Let’s learn more about the health benefits of beets!
Nutritional benefits of beet
Remember the general rule that the brighter a fruit or vegetable is, the higher the nutrient content? That’s definitely true for beets; they contain a wide array of nutrients. Beets are rich in several B vitamins, and a serving includes 20% of the RDA of folate. The beet also has iron, manganese, vitamin C, and potassium. Beets also have a good amount of fiber and support a healthy digestive tract. Beets are also high in nitrates, which are good for several reasons as you’ll read below.
Blood pressure
Beets have been shown in several studies to support healthy blood pressure. In some studies beets, especially raw beets, helped reduce blood pressure within a few hours of eating them. This is likely due to their high nitrate content.
Inflammation
Inflammation in the body is associated with many health concerns. Beets have a high betalain content which may have anti-inflammatory properties. Betalain is what gives beets their bright red/pink coloration. Nitrates may also promote a healthful inflammatory response in the body as well.
Energy levels
Beets may have a beneficial effect in promoting higher energy levels in the body. This may again be related to their high nitrate content. Nitrates improve mitochondrial function. Mitochondria are what produce the energy your cells need to work. Beets are so prized for their energy-boosting effects that some athletes even drink beet juice for energy and to improve their athletic performance.
*It’s helpful to know that beets and beetroot are the same thing; beets are a root vegetable and some just refer to them as beetroots while others just say beets.
These are just some of the benefits of beets. Remember, if the flavor is too strong for you, you can always get the benefits of beets in supplement form! We hope we’ve convinced you to try this nutritious superfood today!
