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With its deep, earthy flavor and a whole lot of crunch, there is a lot to love about beetroot, especially when it comes to all the health benefits!
Originally from Europe, beetroot was first cultivated by the Romans. By the 19th century, it was discovered that it contains one of the highest sugar contents of any vegetable and was then used commercially to extract sucrose from the beet plant.
For years, it's been restricted to the corner of the plate as a forgetful side or mostly dumped in salads. But with its sweet and rustic charm, this root vegetable is enjoying a well-deserved comeback thanks to its health benefits.
Heart disease, including heart attacks, heart failure and stroke, is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
And high blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for the development of these conditions.
Studies have shown that beets can significantly lower blood pressure by up to 4–10 mmHg over a period of only a few hours.
These blood pressure-lowering effects are likely due to the high concentration of nitrates in beets. In your body, dietary nitrates are converted into nitric oxide, a molecule that dilates blood vessels, causing blood pressure to drop.
Blood nitrate levels remain elevated for about six hours after eating dietary nitrate. A regular consumption of beets can lead to long-term reductions in blood pressure.
Beetroot may also improve muscle power in people with heart failure
Results of a 2015 Study suggest further benefits of nitrates in beetroot juice. The study showed that people with heart failure experienced a 13% increase in muscle power two hours after drinking beetroot juice.
Beetroot also plays a significant role in liver health!
If your liver becomes overloaded due to the following, it may lead to a condition known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease:
• a poor diet
• excessive alcohol consumption
• exposure to toxic substances
• sedentary lifestyle
Beetroot contains betaine, a substance that helps prevent or reduce fatty deposits in the liver. Betaine may also help protect your liver from toxins.
The next time you bring home a bunch of beets don't toss the tops away. These dark, leafy greens that are often overlooked are rich In iron calcium, Vitamin A, K and C.
