Why Are Beets Suddenly So Popular?

Beets, also known as beetroot, didn’t have a place of honor in many people’s homes. You could roast them, steam them, or eat them raw. You can also juice beets or choose a supplement if you don’t like the taste. Many people pass on beets because they tend to be messy. If you eat them raw, most people prefer to remove the skins. That can result in deep red beet juice everywhere. No matter how you add beets to your diet, you get a powerhouse of nutrition and health benefits.

Beets and beet products have become popular for controlling blood pressure.

Beets and beetroot juice are high in nitrates that the body converts to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide relaxes blood vessels and dilates them. That allows blood to flow through them easier and lowers diastolic and systolic blood pressure. It’s greater for the systolic pressure. Beets are also a source of folate. Some studies show that increasing folate levels lowers blood pressure. Regularly drinking beet juice helps keep blood pressure lower. Even though the effect is temporary, it can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Beets help fight inflammation that can take a toll on your health.

The phytochemical betaine was first found in beets. It’s the reason beets are red. It has anti-inflammatory properties. They help fight chronic inflammation that puts you at risk for several diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. The anti-inflammatory properties of beets also help lower blood pressure. Beetroot capsules, beetroot juice, and beetroot extracts may also help remove kidney inflammation based on rat studies.

The nitrates in beets also support brain health.

The same nitrates that help lower blood pressure may also contribute to fighting cognitive decline. It’s the dilation of the blood vessels and increased blood flow to the brain that does it. The frontal lobe is part of the brain for higher thinking, emotions, personality, self-control, muscle control, decision-making, and memory storage. Higher levels of nitric oxide were particularly beneficial for that area. One study of people with type 2 diabetes found the group that consumed beet juice daily had a 4% faster reaction time on cognitive tests.

• Studies show the nutrients in beets have cancer-fighting benefits. More research is still necessary to confirm the results, but its anti-inflammatory properties may add to it.
• Beets are a good source of fiber. Fiber feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut and aids digestion. More fiber helps constipation, IBS, and diverticulitis. The nutrients in beets help lower the risk of colon cancer.
• If you don’t like the mess of raw beets and prefer not to take a supplement, you can steam whole beets. Once steamed thoroughly, rinse them in cold water, and the skins slide off easily.
• You can use raw or cooked beets for salads, grind them and mix them with yogurt for a dip, drink beet juice, make borscht, roast them, or use the leaves in salads. All parts of the beet are edible.

For more information, contact us today at Thrive Fitness!