Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is a long-established food that grows on the coastlines of North Africa, Asia, and Europe.
In the beginning, the part that people eat was beet leaves; the roots that many people now call “beetroots” were not planted until the ancient Roman era.
By the 19th century, the natural sweetness of sugar beet became more and more popular, and people began to use it as one of the sources of sugar (there are reports that after the British restricted the use of sugar cane, Napoleon once claimed to use sugar beet as the main source of sugar).
Lower blood pressure
Drinking beet juice can help you lower your blood pressure within a few hours. A study found that drinking a glass of beet juice can reduce systolic blood pressure by 4-5 points.
This benefit may be attributed to the naturally formed nitrate in sugar beets, which can be converted into nitric oxide in your body. In turn, nitric oxide helps relax and dilate your blood vessels, improve blood flow, and lower blood pressure.
Improve endurance
If you need to increase your energy level during your next exercise, beet juice can also play an important role. Those who drink beet juice before exercise can extend their exercise time by up to 16%. This benefit may also be due to the conversion of nitrate to nitric oxide, which can reduce oxygen consumption during intense exercise and improve endurance during intense exercise.
Fight inflammation
Beet is a unique source of betaine, which helps protect cells, proteins, and enzymes from environmental stress. Studies have also found that it helps fight inflammation, protect internal organs, improve vascular risk factors, improve performance, and may prevent many chronic diseases.
Anti-cancer properties
The powerful phytonutrients that give sugar beets a deep red hue may help prevent cancer. For example, research has found that if beetroot extract is added to drinking water, it can reduce the formation of multiple organ tumors in multiple animal models. Research has also tried to use beetroot extract to treat human pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.
Rich in important nutrients and fiber
Beetroot is rich in vitamin C, which improves immune function, fiber, and basic minerals such as potassium (essential for healthy nerve and muscle function) and manganese (good for bones, liver, kidneys, and pancreas). Beets also contain vitamin B folic acid, which helps reduce the risk of congenital malformations.
Promote detoxification
The pigment betaine in beets can support the body’s second-stage detoxification process, which can break down toxins attached to other molecules, allowing them to be excreted from the body. Traditionally, the value of beets is that they promote detoxification and help purify your blood and liver.
