Beets are high in fiber, antioxidants, micronutrients and low in calories. They are loaded with folate, manganese, potassium and vitamin C, carotenoids and nitrates and a phytonutrient called betalain which is a powerful antioxidant that reduces inflammation, improves heart and digestive health, assists with detoxification and boosts increased brain function.
Here are the top 15 reasons why to add beets to your diet:
- Beets can lower blood pressure due to naturally occurring nitrates. (These nitrates are healthy as opposed the ones found in processed foods).
- They have a significant amount of iron, which helps prevent anemia and boosts the regeneration of red blood cells.
- Beets help your liver get rid of toxins and stimulate liver cells due to methionine and glycine betaine that help to keep fatty acids from building up. It’s one of the best superfoods to reverse fatty liver.
- The antioxidants in beets protect the skin by neutralizing free radicals. Lycopene contained in beets helps to keep the skin elastic and protects it from the sun.
- Beets aid with digestion by helping to stimulate your intestines and breakdown food.
- The betaine in beets is a powerful nutrient that protects cells, proteins and enzymes from environmental stress and reduces inflammation.
- Beets help your workout by utilizing nitrates to turn into nitric oxide and reduce the oxygen cost of low intensity exercise while increasing tolerance to high-intensity exercise.
- Beets help stabilize blood sugar by lowering the amount of glucose in the blood due to the soluble fibers found in beets.
- Beets improve brain neuroplasticity because nitrates help increase oxygenation of the somatomotor cortex, a brain area that is often affected in the early stages of dementia.
- Your libido can improve because beets are a rich source of a mineral called boron that is directly linked to the production of sex hormones.
- Beets are high in vitamin C, fiber, potassium and manganese which helps boost immunity levels in the body.
- The vitamin C, vitamin B-complex, and powerful antioxidants in beets helps prevent fatigue and soothe minor aches and pains by reducing inflammation.
- The high levels of the B vitamin folate in beets are an excellent food for pregnant women. Lack of folate during pregnancy raises the risk of birth defects.
- The beta-carotene in beets aids in reducing or slowing macular degeneration and helps prevent cataracts.
- Minerals like boron, copper, and magnesium in beets help bones develop normally and boost bone metabolism. They also provide potassium, which conserves calcium within the body and reduces the loss of calcium through the urine.
Beets contain numerous benefits, but some may need to moderate their intake due to the high sugar content. Excessive beet consumption can also lead to kidney and bladder stones. Due to the high content in oxalates, beets can build up uric acid in the body, leading to gout. As with any superfood, don’t overdo it.
