Did you know that in many cultures the conviction persists that if a man and a woman eat the same beet, they will fall in love? Well if this reason is not enough for you to love and eat the beet, here is a battery of benefits and virtues of this magnificent juicy vegetable.
Beet is a biennial herbaceous plant of the family Chenopodiaceae, its root vegetable is used in many cuisines around the world. Beets are full of vitamins, minerals and essential plant compounds, some of which have medicinal properties.
What does this delicious red vegetable contain?
Beets are rich in betaine, a natural anti-inflammatory agent with tremendous cardiovascular benefits, as well as other vitamins and minerals, such as iodine, potassium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, iron and vitamins C, B2, B1 and B12. The intense red color of beets is due to anthocyanins, which are abundant in this vegetable and are good for your health. Beets also contain nitrates and inorganic pigments, both of which are plant compounds with many health benefits. This vegetable is impressive because despite its richness in vitamins and minerals, it remains low in calories.
The health benefits of beetroot:
Helps keep blood pressure under control
Studies have shown that beets can significantly lower blood pressure from 4 to 10 mmHg in just a few hours. Scientists have seen better results when the beet is raw.
These antihypertensive effects are probably due to the high concentration of nitrates in the beets. In your body, dietary nitrates are converted to nitric oxide, a molecule that dilates blood vessels, causing a drop in blood pressure. Nitrate levels in the blood remain elevated about six hours after consuming dietary nitrate. Therefore beets have only a temporary effect on blood pressure and regular consumption is necessary for long-term reduction of blood pressure.
Can help fight inflammation
Chronic inflammation is associated with a number of diseases, such as obesity, heart disease, liver disease and cancer. Beets contain pigments called betalaines, potentially endowed with many anti-inflammatory properties according to several researches.
Another study in men with osteoarthritis showed that beet extract-based betalain capsules reduced the pain and discomfort associated with the disease.
Although these studies suggest that beets have an anti-inflammatory effect, further studies in humans are needed to determine whether beets could be used to reduce inflammation.
Can improve digestive health
Dietary fiber is an important part of a healthy diet and has been associated with many health benefits, including improved digestion.
A cup of beet contains 3.4 grams of fiber, making it a good source of fiber. The fiber bypasses the digestion and goes to the colon, where it nourishes the good intestinal bacteria and adds volume to the stool. So this vegetable will help you prevent digestive problems like constipation, inflammatory bowel disease and diverticulitis.
Can help support brain health
Reduced blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain can contribute to a decline in cognitive performance. It is interesting to note that nitrates in beets can improve mental and cognitive functions by promoting the dilation of blood vessels and thus increasing blood flow to the brain. In fact, beets have been shown to improve blood flow to the frontal lobe of the brain, an area associated with higher-level thinking, such as decision-making and working memory.
Whether raw or cooked, beetroot is healthy, so make the most of it and give your health a boost.
