You can also juice beetroot to get a concentrated shot of its nutrients to take advantage of its powerful health-boosting properties. Studies have shown that the health benefits of beets include detoxing your body, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, improving heart heath and stamina, and boosting brain function.
Why You May Want to Eat Fermented Beets
Fermented beets have many benefits to your health because they contain probiotics or “good” bacteria. These microorganisms help to balance the microbiota in your gut which improves your overall health. One scientific study found that fermented beetroot is especially good for you because it can fight oxidative stress. It also contains the Lactobacillus bacteria which is very beneficial for your gut.
Many studies point to the effectiveness of probiotics to restore the microflora of your gut. The British Journal of Nutrition reported that probiotics help to strengthen the gut against harmful bacteria and they have a positive impact on the health of the large intestine.
Many researchers point to the fact that the health of your gut and digestive system is closely linked to your immune system. Probiotics stimulate the immune system and inhibit the growth of bacterial infections.
In this article, you will find out what science has to say on the amazing ways beetroot can improve your health. You will also find some practical tips on how to incorporate more beets into your diet to help protect your health in many ways.
At the end of the article you’ll find an easy recipe of fermented beets with many health benefits.
The Nutritional Value of Beets
Beets are a rich source of nutrients that are needed for a healthy body. For example, beetroot contains vitamins A, C and B-group vitamins. They are also a good source of calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and manganese, as well as fiber.1
It’s not just the roots of beets that are good for you. The tops, or greens, of beets are also full of fiber, minerals, and vitamins and are one of its healthiest parts. In fact, according to NutritionalData.com, just 1/2 cup of raw beet greens gives you almost all of your recommended daily amount of vitamin K, which is essential for healthy blood, strong bones, and in preventing heart disease.2 Beet greens also contain a high amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, as well as nutrients like potassium, manganese, iron, and fiber, all of which are necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The main health benefits of beets come from the pigment betalains, which give them the dark rich color. According to a study, betalains have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can improve your health in a number of ways.3
Let’s look at the many ways that beetroot can help boost your health and help keep you feeling great and full of energy.
The Health Benefits of Beets
Beets help to detox your entire body
The powerful antioxidants in beets can help to detoxify your whole body and prevent disease. Beetroot contains compounds that support detoxification in the body and can help to strengthen the immune system.
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In fact, studies have shown that juiced beetroot is one of the most potent antioxidant drinks from all vegetable and fruit juices.5
So, to help your body get rid of harmful toxins and prevent developing chronic diseases, make sure and regularly consume beets as part of a healthy diet.
Beet juice lowers blood pressure
Beets also have the potential to lower your blood pressure naturally. The reason that beetroot is good for hypertension is due to its content of inorganic nitrate. When you consume beets, the nitrate content is converted into nitric oxide which helps to improve blood flow. This has a beneficial effect on your cardiovascular system and helps to reduce blood pressure.
The blood pressure-lowering effect of beets was proved in a study published in the Nutrition Journal. The researchers found that adding beetroot to your regular diet can help to lower blood pressure and also reduce the risk of heart-related medical conditions. The participants in the study found that within 6 hours after drinking beetroot juice their blood pressure levels were significantly lowered.6
Beets to lower cholesterol
Beetroot and beet greens can help to lower cholesterol naturally and prevent the health complications that high cholesterol cause. The antioxidants, flavonoids, and folic acid in beets help to reduce levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol, which the American Heart Association term as “bad cholesterol”7).
The journal Nutrition Research and Practice found that in clinical trials, red beet leaf extracts helped to reduce dangerous levels of LDL cholesterol in mice. They also found that that the beet greens extract had a beneficial effect on weight loss because it helped to reduce body fat.8
If you are looking for a healthy snack, then you should replace your regular potato chips with beetroot crisps to help lower cholesterol. A study published in the journal Lipids in Health and Disease found that beet chips reduced levels of bad cholesterol and that they had a positive effect on blood glucose.9
Beets are anti-inflammatory
Eating beets regularly can help keep you in good health. The beneficial effect of beets on health is due to their anti-inflammatory effects on the body which help prevent various diseases. Doctors say that if inflammation in the body isn’t resolved, the result can be that chronic inflammatory diseases develop.
The journal Nutrients reported that the anti-inflammatory compounds in beets help to reduce inflammation in many areas of the body. The journal mentioned some studies showing that beetroot extract can actually have a similar effect to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) medications.4
Beetroot prevents heart disease
Regularly consuming fresh and cooked beetroot in your diet can help prevent various forms of heart disease and reduce the risk of stroke. Beets contain a high amount of folate (vitamin B9) which has a therapeutic effect on the heart. Also, betaine, which is found in beets, can help promote a healthy heart.
One study into betaine supplements found that they can help to reduce levels of homocysteine and, therefore, reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Elevated levels of homocysteine have been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, heart disease, and stroke.10
Other studies have found that the compound betaine found in beets can help to alleviate angina pain, shortness of breath, reduce blood pressure, and generally improve your cardiovascular system.11, 12
Beets improve stamina and athletic performance
Both whole beets and beet juice can help improve athletic performance and give you more energy. The body converts nitrate into energy and is safe to ingest in vegetable form through beets.
One study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that consuming baked beetroot helped runners to run faster and for longer. The researchers said that beetroot improves running performance in healthy adults.13
Other studies have found that drinking juice from beets can help you to work out better and more effectively. Researchers found that taking beetroot juice before exercising helps to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood, reduce blood pressure and improve physiological responses to exercise.14, 15
Beets detox your liver and kidneys
If you want to get rid of toxins from your liver, you should consume beetroot regularly. This can help to keep both your liver and kidneys working well and in good health. The beneficial effect of beets on liver and kidney health is thanks to the way betaine detoxifies these organs.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that extracts of beetroot help to prevent fat accumulating in the liver and reduces oxidative stress.16 Other studies have found that beets have the power to prevent kidney damage and get rid of free radicals that can cause kidney disease.17
Read my article how to detox your liver with a super beet smoothie. You can also find out more information on how to strengthen your liver and how to improve your kidneys health.