7 amazing Health Benefits of Beetroot You Need to Know- The earthy, slightly sweet taste of beetroot adds a unique flavor to any meal. It’s also one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. For example, a single serving (around half a cup or 115 g) of beetroot has about:
In fact, beetroots are so packed with nutrients that eating them raw is one of the best ways to boost your intake of vitamins and minerals.
Did you know that consuming it as often as possible helps to keep your body healthy? Let us take a closer look at the benefits of beetroot and why it should be included in your diet more often…
7 Benefits of Beetroot
If you’re not a fan of eating beets, then you’re missing out on some serious health benefits! Let’s dive into the 7 amazing benefits of beetroot you need to know. First up, beetroot is high in antioxidants, specifically betalains and anthocyanins. These antioxidants help to fight against free radicals that can damage cells and cause disease.
Betalains are also believed to help regulate blood pressure, improve digestive health and keep your eyes healthy! Next up, beetroot is high in fiber. Consuming foods that are high in fiber is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy digestive system, break down fats and regulate blood sugar. Next up, beetroot is rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that helps your body in many different ways.
It helps to boost your immune system and can even be used as an antioxidant. Vitamin C also supports collagen production, keeps your skin healthy and is needed for healthy teeth, bones and blood vessels. Beetroot is also high in vitamin B.
Vitamin B helps your body to produce new cells and is also essential for regulating your metabolism. Another amazing benefit of beetroot is that it is high in iron. Iron is needed by your body to produce hemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen around your body.
Last but not least, beetroot is high in potassium. Potassium is a mineral that is important for regulating your blood pressure, building muscle and maintaining a healthy nervous system.
1. Boost Your Morning Workout
If you’re looking for a natural way to improve your workout, then look no further than beetroot! A study found that when participants consumed beetroot juice before engaging in resistance training, they experienced a reduction in muscle damage and an increase in muscle strength compared to the control group.
This is thought to be due to the fact that beetroot is high in nitrates, which are known to reduce oxygen consumption during exercise. Therefore, more oxygen is delivered to the muscles and they can perform better. There’s also evidence that beetroot juice can improve your running times!
In another study, participants were asked to consume either juice or placebo before a 5 km run. The group who consumed beetroot juice saw an improvement in running time. What’s more, they reported less side-effects from the run, such as cramping. This may be due to the high potassium content in beetroot juice. Potassium has been linked to supporting optimal hydration and electrolyte balance as well as reducing muscle fatigue.
2. Keep Your Eyes Healthy
As we’ve previously mentioned, beetroot is rich in antioxidants, especially betalains and anthocyanins. These antioxidants help to reduce oxidative stress and protect cells from damage, which in turn can help to keep your eyes healthy!
What’s more, a study has shown that consuming beetroot juice can actually increase blood flow to the eyes, which may help to prevent or delay vision impairment. However, there isn’t enough evidence to suggest that beets can help to treat existing eye diseases.
3. Help Fight Cancer
Beetroot’s high iron content makes it a great food for preventing and treating certain types of cancer. As well as preventing oxidative stress and protecting cells from damage, iron is also important for forming hemoglobin, which transports oxygen in the blood. When oxygen levels in the blood are too low, it can contribute to the formation of cancerous cells.
What’s more, a 2015 study found that the betalain content in beetroot was able to inhibit the formation of cancerous cells when tested on mice.
It’s important to note that consuming beetroot regularly is unlikely to protect you from all types of cancer, but it is thought to be helpful in the prevention and treatment of several types including liver, colorectal and prostate cancer.
4. Improve Digestion
Beetroot is rich in fiber, which is an essential nutrient for maintaining a healthy digestive system. Consuming foods high in fiber is one of the best ways to prevent constipation and promote regularity.
What’s more, the fiber found in beetroot helps to lower your ‘bad’ cholesterol and regulate blood sugar levels. This means that it can help to prevent and treat conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
5. Maintain Healthy Skin
The antioxidants found in beetroot can help to reduce oxidative stress in the skin and prevent signs of aging. This means that consuming foods high in antioxidants can help to prevent wrinkles and age spots.
What’s more, the high vitamin C content in beetroot can also help to increase collagen production and firm the skin. This makes it a great food for fighting the signs of ageing, especially on the face.
6. Help Supports Good Cardio Health
As we’ve mentioned, beetroot is high in potassium. This mineral is essential for regulating your blood pressure, building muscle and maintaining a healthy nervous system. Eating a diet high in potassium can help to prevent low blood pressure and reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
The high fiber content in beetroot can also help to reduce cholesterol levels and promote healthy gut bacteria, which means that it can help to prevent cardiovascular disease.
7. Bottom line
It’s no secret that beetroot is packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber! Eating it regularly can help improve your workout, fight cancer, maintain a healthy digestive system and promote good cardio health.
What’s more, it’s also a delicious and unique addition to salads and sandwiches. So, whether you choose to consume it raw or pickled, there’s no doubt that beetroot is one superfood you should be eating more often!
