Beets have been consumed for literally centuries upon centuries, and are most commonly found in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Several centuries ago, it was the greens of the beets that were most commonly consumed, though as time went by, and people began noting significant health benefits, not to mention taste benefits compared with the greens, it was the beet roots that were most commonly consumed instead. Eating healthily is not as easy as many people would have you believe in this day and age, with processed junk food seemingly all around us. Finding healthy produce that not only tastes great, but also provides us with numerous health benefits in the process is a real advantage, which is why beet roots are currently so popular. Still not so sure about beet roots? Take a look at the following benefits and see if you change your tune after finishing our article.
They can reduce blood pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is one of the biggest killers in the entire world, and the number of people suffering with hypertension is seemingly growing every single day. One of the main health benefits of beet roots is the fact that they have been proved to significantly reduce blood pressure. Not only can they reduce blood pressure, they can also reduce blood pressure very quickly as well. Studies have found that drinking fresh beet root juice can actually reduce your blood pressure significantly, within a matter of hours. On average, one glass of fresh beet root juice can lower systolic blood pressure by around 5 points. This is due to the fact that beet roots are rich in nitrates, which the body quickly converts into nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels and acts as a vasodilator, improving blood flow and circulation, which can in turn help to reduce blood pressure.
They can improve athletic performance
In the health and fitness community, beet roots are very much in fashion at this moment in time and they are becoming more popular amongst athletes and fitness enthusiasts than ever before. The main reason for this is that they’re considered a rich source of nitric oxide, which is actually often found in many pre-workout supplements. As mentioned previously, the nitric oxide helps to dilate the blood vessels, and improve circulation. As the blood vessels will have dilated and widened, more blood will be able to pass through them. This means that more oxygen and more nutrients will be transported around the body and will be delivered to various cells within the muscles. These cells then use this oxygen and these nutrients as a source of energy, and obviously the more energy they have, they longer the muscles will be able to work before they begin to fatigue.
They provide anti-inflammatory benefits
Another great benefit of beet roots is the fact that they’re rich in a compound known as betaine, which is a potent nutrient responsible for helping to protect cells within the body from various environmental stresses. However, it has also been found to help to protect the internal organs, and to fight inflammation. Betaine has been found to be directly associated with reduced levels of numerous inflammatory markers, which include: tumour necrosis factor alpha, and C reactive proteins. These anti-inflammatory molecules found naturally within beet roots have also been found to provide a number of cardiovascular benefits in humans of all ages, genders, shapes, and sizes.
It’s great for the liver
Another one of the many benefits of beetroots is the fact that they’ve been found to be very beneficial for the liver. The reason for this is that they contain beta cyanin, which helps to eliminate toxins from the blood stream and helping to detox the liver in the process. Not only that, but it can also help to reduce the build ups of fatty deposits, which could in turn lead to fatty liver disease.
Beetroots are incredibly nutrient dense
When talking about cleaning up our diets and eating healthily, experts always go on about the importance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, amongst other things. Beetroots are absolutely stocked full to the gills full of all of the above, and much more besides. Beetroots are rich in vitamin C, iron, B vitamins, antioxidants, potassium, and much, much more besides. This means that not only can beetroots help to strengthen and boost the immune system, they can also help to provide benefits for numerous other systems and organs within our bodies in the process.
It can lift your mood
Another fantastic benefit of beetroots, and one which is again linked with betaine, is the fact that they can help lift your mood and make you feel happier and more content with life. The reason for this is that betaine naturally enhances the natural production of serotonin within the body, which is a hormone responsible for making us feel happy and content. The more serotonin we produce, the happier we feel.
Beetroot provides anti-cancer benefits
Beetroot is packed full of potent phytonutrients which are responsible for giving beetroots their dramatic crimson colour. Studies have found that these phytonutrients can help to fend off certain forms of cancer. Studies revealed that natural beetroot can reduce the formation of tumours in multiple organs within the body, most notably breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancer.
Great for the hair
Dandruff, whilst not a serious health condition, is a very embarrassing condition that can severely damage many people’s self-esteem and quality of life. Another great benefit of beetroots is that as they’re rich in natural proteins, potassium, phosphorus, and various other minerals and nutrients, they can improve blood flow to the scalp, which in turn can prevent dandruff. The potent antioxidants remove and/or heal dead skin cells and help to condition and enhance the surface of the scalp, leading to healthy hair and a dramatic reduction in dandruff. The roots of the hair become strengthened, and dead pores are reinvigorated and reopen up, allowing them to absorb far more nutrients into the scalp itself.
