Health Benefits Of Beets

Why Are Beets Healthy

I discovered the amazing health benefits of beets while looking for foods to eat that support cleasing of the liver and gallbladder. Beets are the main ingredient in this Beet Salad from Gallbladder Diet Recipes.

Beet juice is a great liver cleanser and thins the bile for protection against gallstone formation. But besides that, the health benefit that stood out to me is that beet juice makes exercise less tiring.

Now that is truly remarkable. This was discovered in a study done on cyclists who had to drink 500ml of beet juice daily for 6 days and then comparing their cycling performance against that when they drank another juice mix for 6 days in a row.

Here are some comments by the researchers: Study researcher Professor Andy Jones - an adviser to top UK athlete Paula Radcliffe - said: "We were amazed by the effects of beetroot juice on oxygen uptake because these effects cannot be achieved by any other known means, including training.

"I am sure professional and amateur athletes will be interested in the results of this research.

"I am also keen to explore the relevance of the findings to those people who suffer from poor fitness and may be able to use dietary supplements to help them go about their daily lives."

Professor John Brewer, an expert on sports science at the University of Bedfordshire, said: "These findings are potentially exciting for many people involved in sport and exercise, but will almost certainly require further more extensive studies before the exact benefits and mechanisms are understood.

"We must also remember that exercise and training and a sensible diet will always remain as the essential ingredients for a balanced and healthy lifestyle."

Beet juice is considered a powerful and most excellent cleanser so it's a good idea to add beets to your juicing ingredients. Very good combinations of vegetables and fruits for juicing with beets are apples, carrots & cucumbers. Carrots and apples will improve the taste of the beet and cucumber provides a refreshing coolness. Here are some good juicing recipes.

As far as nutritional content goes, beets are rich in Folate, Manganese, Vitamin C, Copper, Phosphorus, Iron and Potassium.

Beet juice is very refreshing but should be diluted with other juices or water because it can cause increase in heart rate.

Did you know that drinking beet juice can do wonders for your health? Not only is it packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants – but it’s also delicious! OK, maybe it doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to its flavor – but don’t let that discourage you. Beet juice is like a tall glass of healthy fun – there are no rules on how to enjoy it! Add a few strawberries or other fruits to sweeten things up and make your own unique concoction. Get creative and reap the (beet) benefits!

Interesting Facts About the Health Benefits Of Beets

• Beets have a high sugar content but are very low in calories.
• Offer protection from cancer.
• Heart protection by improving cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
• Contain betaine which reduces inflammation.
• Protection against birth defects because they are rich is Vitamin B Folate which is critical to the early development of babies.
• Betacyanin is the pigment that gives beetroot its color, and has powerful antioxidant properties. Studies have demonstrated that red beet products used regularly in the diet may provide protection against certain oxidative stress-related disorders in humans.
• Betacyanin pigment is absorbed into the blood corpuscles and can increase the oxygen-carrying ability of the blood by up to 400 per cent.
• Beet juice is highly alkaline and so is excellent for improving the pH of the body. This is especially helpful for people suffering with acidity.

Heat destroys the anti-cancer health benefits of beets so try to enjoy it raw or only cook it lightly like for a few minutes in the steamer.

Beet powder is a convenient way to get your dose of beetroot super-nutrients and save you the trouble of juicing them. 

Reach For A Beet

                Raw beets are best for their health benefits but......

......if you're looking for some creative and fun ways to include beets in your diet, here are a few suggestions:

Create a sweet and savory salad by combining diced beets, goat cheese, greens, and chopped nuts.

Make a Beet Pizza with spinach, feta cheese and sundried tomatoes for an Italian twist on this root vegetable.

Use beet juice as a smoothie ingredient – add it to your favorite fruits like apples and oranges for an energizing boost of nutrients.

Get creative with roasted beets as side dishes – try adding honey, balsamic vinegar and herbs for a flavorful touch.

Try pickling beets at home – they make a tasty condiment that goes great with burgers or sandwiches.

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