Beetroot or informally simply known as beet is getting more new coverage after a research carried out which proved that this dark red vegetable can cure blood pressure and improve blood flow.
Beet is not new; its origin can be traced back from Roman times. Romans used Beetroot to treat aphrodisiac (a thing to increase sexual desire), fever, constipation, wounds and other skin problems like acne, boils and remove dead cells. It’s a myth that beetroot is available only in red color; beetroot with white, golden and even multicolor are available.
Nutritional Facts in Beetroot
Beetroot contains rich amount of folic acid, manganese, Vitamin A, C and K. Minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, copper, sulphur, silica and chlorine are also found in Beets. Beet Juice is rich in nitrates and antioxidant which is improve blood flow and reduces blood pressure. Other nutrient things include amino acids (D amino acids, alpha amino acids), flavonoids (enhance the power of Vitamin C and protect blood vessels from leakage) and carotenoids (reduces certain cancers and eye disease.)
Before diving into benefits of Beetroot, let’s know which form is preferred.
Eat or Drink?
Beet taste described as sweet and earthy. It can be taken in raw, cooked or juiced forms.
Most vegetables are preferred to take in raw form but in beetroot case it’s different. Drinking beet juice helps you in lowering blood pressure better than other forms. When you cook beetroot the amount of nutrients in beet reduces.
By juicing you’re going to get maximum amount of phytonutrients (plant chemicals).
Related post: Spinach for skin
Benefits of Beetroot Juice for health
#1 Reduce Blood Pressure
A study carried out which was published by American Heart Association journal states that nitrate in beet helps reduce blood pressure.
Few participates in Queen Mary University asked to drink beetroot juice, other group to take dummy drink and third group to take nitrate tablets. Within 24 hours it’s found that blood pressure of first group (who took beet juice) and third group (who took nitrate tablet) reduced.
#2 Increases blood flow
Beetroot contains high amount of nitrates which is converted to nitrites by bacteria. Which then helps to increase blood flow in the body thus improving brain, heart and kidney functioning.
#3 Improves Stamina
It has been proved that eating raw beet before race helped runners to get some extra advantage when compared to other runners who’re given cranberry relish for comparing.
Also while exercising, beetroot boost up your energy level to extend your workout time.
#4 Reduce sudden heart attack or strokes
Betacyanin present in Beetroot helps reduce oxidation of LDL cholesterol and removes deposits from the walls of artery. This reduces sudden heart attacks.
#5 Improves spinal cord formation in unborn child
It’s great resource for pregnant women. Folic acid in beet is responsible for protection of unborn child’s spinal cord from spina bifida.
#6 Helps Keep Diabetic under check
Initially Beetroot got popularity for its sugar content. When British stopped sugarcane production for sugar, Napoleon asked to start Beetroot production for sugar. So, diabetic patients who’ve crave for sugar are preferred to take Beetroot which is free from fat. Because Beetroot has a medium glycaemic index which releases sugar very slowly in blood. Thus, maintaining sugar level in blood.
#7 Treats Anemia
Iron content in Beetroot helps transport oxygen and nutrients which helps to treat anemia.
#8 Protect from Cancer
Betacyanin in Beetroot slows the growth of tumor by 12.5% in patients with breast cancer. (source)
#9 Beats Constipation (Helps to keep stomach clean)
Laxative, because of its high soluble fiber content. (source)
#10 Recommended diet for Obesity
Because of its rich fiber and low calorie levels it helps to lose weight. If you’re on a diet to lose weight then you must add this beetroot juice to taste plethora of health benefits.
Benefits of Beetroot Juice for Skin
Drinking Beetroot juice regularly helps skin tone smooth and healthy.
#11 Get away from dry skin and other skin diseases
Regular drinking of Beetroot juice helps to get rid of dry skin, acne and boils.
#12 Improves Skin tone and gives glowing complexion
Help, to purify blood by removing toxins and excess water from the body thus, making skin glow.
#13 You can use Beetroot face mask
Renowned for purifying blood, assorted vitamins and nutrients in beetroot works as excellent remedy to nourish skin. Topically applying its face mask will remove wrinkles and removes hyperpigmentation. Mix it with innate remedies, so that it won’t leave stains over your face.
- Beetroot juice – 1 tbsp, 1 pinch turmeric powder, gram flour 1 tbsp and milk cream 1/2 tbsp.
- To juice, grate raw beetroot and squeeze to have juice. Drop turmeric, milk cream and gram flour required quantities.
- Mix it thoroughly and go for patch test over inner side of elbow. If things go right, apply it on the face and rinse it off after 15 minutes.
Optionally you can follow with a moisturizer.
#14 Removes dark spots and blemishes
You can leverage more benefits by including beetroot in your diet either in raw, cooked or juiced form. But one thing to be noted is, excess consumption of beetroot may turn urine color in pink, nothing harmful. Patients with kidney stones (because of excess calcium are advised not to include beetroot in their diet.)
Above are just few important health and skin benefits of beet. For more detailed view checkout resources below.
Resources:
- http://www.ahajournals.org/
- http://www.webmd.boots.com/healthy-eating/guide/beetroot-benefits
- http://www.ageless.co.za/herb-beetroot-juice.htm
- http://www.lovebeetroot.co.uk/healthy_info/beetroot-benefits.asp