Beetroot isn’t just a tasty addition to your dinner plate or smoothie, it’s great for your cardiovascular health!

Beets contain large amounts of naturally occurring nitrates. When consumed, nitrates are converted into nitric oxide, which offers a range of health benefits. Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to relax and promote healthy circulation. It also stimulates the release of certain hormones, such as human growth hormone and insulin. Some studies even suggest that eating nitrate-rich vegetables such as kale and arugula can help lower blood pressure and improve exercise performance in athletes.

In addition to promoting heart health, beets are low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals. In fact, they contain almost all the vitamins and minerals you need in the average day, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, manganese and iron. Beet juice has been shown to reduce inflammation and promote digestive health.

If you’re looking to improve your health, consider incorporating beets into your diet with this tasty recipe courtesy of AllRecipes.com.

Raw, Fermented Beets

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds beets, peeled and cut into chunks
• 4 cloves cloves garlic, peeled
• 6 peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves

Brine:

• 3 cups water, boiled and cooled
• 1 tablespoon salt

Directions:

1. Distribute beet chunks between two jars with lids. Add 2 cloves garlic, 3 peppercorns, and 1 bay leaf to each jar.
2. Combine water and salt in a bowl to make the brine; stir until salt is completely dissolved. Pour enough brine into the jars to completely cover the beets.
3. Screw on lids and let jars sit at room temperature until foam starts to appear on top, about 1 week. Transfer jars to a cool place (50 degrees F, 10 degrees C) for 2 to 3 days after foam appears. Store in the refrigerator.