Beetroots: Hidden Health Benefits

Beetroot is one of the healthiest vegetables. Beetroots or beets belong to the Chenopodiaceous family whose history dates back to ancient times. Beetroot is the taproot part of the beet plant.The first traces of beetroot cultivation was found in the Mediterranean region. In addition to being an actual food item, beetroot is also a source of sucrose and so, it is viable alternative for tropical sugarcane. It is also used as a medicinal plant and as a food colorant.



 Benefits

Vitamins

They are a good source of vitamins and minerals, such as folate, manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C.

Packed with Essential Nutrients

Red beet is a great source of fiber, folate (vitamin B 9), manganese, potassium, and iron.

Beetroots and Beetroot Juice

The two have been associated with numerous health benefits. These include- improved blood flow, lower blood pressure, and increased exercise performance.
Many of these benefits are due to their high content of inorganic nitrates.

Diabetes:

Beets contain an antioxidant known as alpha-lipoic acid.
This antioxidant helps to lower glucose levels, increase Insulin sensitivity.
It also prevents oxidative stress-induced changes in patients with diabetes.

Digestion and Regularity:

Because of its high fiber content, beets help to prevent constipation. It also promotes regularity for a healthy digestive tract.

Inflammation:

Choline is a versatile nutrient in beets that helps with sleep, muscle movement, learning, and memory.

 High In Dietary Nitrate.

This benefits the cardiovascular system and may protect against cancer.

Beet Juice for Erectile Dysfunction

Also called impotence or ED. Beet juice is high in nitrates. Our body turns nitrates into nitric oxide.

It helps to treat anemia, indigestion, constipation, piles, kidney disorders, dandruff, gall bladder disorders, cancer and heart disease. It also helps to improve blood circulation, helps to deal with respiratory problems and even prevents cataracts.

Nitric oxide, a gas naturally produced by the body, may help prevent ED.
Actually, nitric oxide is sold as a dietary supplement to treat the condition

Boosts Weight Loss

Beets help you detox and lose weight. This is because they contain no fat and are a good source of dietary fiber- half soluble and half insoluble.
These two types help fight fat by maintaining proper bowel function and lowering cholesterol levels for weight loss

Nutrients 
A cup of beetroot (136 grams) has 58 calories. It also contains 13 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fiber. Following are the other nutrients in beets (1):

22 mg of calcium

1 mg of iron

31 mg of magnesium

54 mg of phosphorus

442 mg of potassium

47 mg of zinc

44 mg of manganese

6 mg of vitamin C

175 mg of betaine

148 mcg of folate


45 IU of vitamin A

Precautions

Your urine and stools may turn red or pinkish after eating beets. This condition, known as beeturia, is harmless. But it may be startling if you don’t expect it.
If you have low blood pressure, drinking beetroot juice regularly may increase the risk of your pressure dropping too low. Monitor your blood pressure carefully.
If you’re prone to calcium oxalate kidney stones, don’t drink beetroot juice. Beets are high in oxalates, which are naturally occurring substances that form crystals in your urine. They may lead to stones.