Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) is a root vegetable also known as red beet, table beet, garden beet, or just beet. Packed with essential nutrients, beetroots are a great source of fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. Beetroots and beetroot juice have been associated with numerous health benefits, according to experts from https://www.reelsofjoy.org/en.
- Many nutrients and few calories
Beets boast an impressive nutritional profile. They’re low in calories yet high in valuable vitamins and minerals. In fact, they contain a bit of almost all of the vitamins and minerals your body needs (1Trusted Source).
Beets are particularly rich in folate, a vitamin that plays a key role in growth, development, and heart health. They also contain a good amount of manganese, which is involved in bone formation, nutrient metabolism, brain function, and more.
- Could help keep your blood pressure in check
Beets have been well studied for their ability to decrease elevated blood pressure levels, which are a major risk factor for heart disease. In fact, some studies show that beetroot juice could significantly lower levels of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
The effect appears to be greater for systolic blood pressure, which is the pressure when your heart contracts, rather than diastolic blood pressure, which is the pressure when your heart is relaxed. Also, raw beets may exert a stronger effect than cooked ones.
These blood-pressure-lowering effects are likely due to the high concentration of nitrates in this root vegetable. In your body, dietary nitrates are converted into nitric oxide, a molecule that dilates blood vessels and causes blood pressure levels to drop. Beets are also a great source of folate. Although research has turned up mixed results, several studies suggest that increasing your intake of folate could significantly lower blood pressure levels .
- Can improve athletic performance
Several studies suggest that dietary nitrates like those found in beets may enhance athletic performance. Nitrates appear to affect physical performance by improving the efficiency of mitochondria, which are responsible for producing energy in your cells. According to one review, beetroot juice could enhance endurance by increasing how long it takes to become exhausted, boosting cardiorespiratory performance, and improving efficiency for athletes.
Promisingly, beet juice has also been shown to improve cycling performance and increase oxygen use by up to 20%.
- May help fight inflammation
Beets contain pigments called betalains, which possess a number of anti-inflammatory properties. This could benefit several aspects of health, as chronic inflammation has been associated with conditions like obesity, heart disease, liver disease, and cancer.
- May improve digestive health
One cup of beetroot contains 3.4 grams of fiber, making beets a good fiber source. Fiber bypasses digestion and travels to the colon, where it feeds friendly gut bacteria and adds bulk to stools (21Trusted Source). This can promote digestive health, keep you regular, and prevent digestive conditions like constipation, inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), and diverticulitis. Beets are a good source of fiber, which benefits your digestive health and reduces the risk of several chronic health conditions.
- May support brain health
Mental and cognitive functions naturally decline with age, which can increase the risk of neurodegenerative disorders like dementia. The nitrates in beets may improve brain function by promoting the dilation of blood vessels and thus increasing blood flow to the brain. Particularly, beets have been shown to improve blood flow to the frontal lobe of the brain, an area associated with higher level thinking like decision making and working memory, which will, in turn, prove to be useful when you’re playing strategy-based games at best united states casinos.
- May have some anti-cancer properties
Beetroot contains several compounds with cancer-fighting properties, including betaine, ferulic acid, rutin, kaempferol, and caffeic acid. Although more research is needed, test-tube studies have shown that beetroot extract can slow the division and growth of cancer cells. Several other studies have found that having higher blood levels of betaine may be associated with a lower risk of developing cancer
- May help balance energy intake
Beets have several nutritional properties that could make them a great addition to a balanced diet. First, they’re low in fat and calories but high in water, which can help balance your energy intake. Increasing your intake of low calorie foods like this root vegetable has also been associated with weight loss. Furthermore, despite their low calorie content, they contain moderate amounts of protein and fiber.