We need to focus a lot on our diet if we want to remain healthy and there is no denying the fact that a healthy diet plan will always have a good amount of vegetables and fruits. One vegetable that has to be a part of your diet plan is beetroot because it is very nutritious and even used for the medicinal properties.
Eating a beet or drinking its juice every day is highly beneficial for health as beets are full of nutrients such as iron, manganese, magnesium, copper and potassium which have their own benefits. Even its leaves are also good for health as they have calcium that is good for bones and teeth and vitamin K which has blood clotting properties.
One question that comes in the mind of every person is whether to juice it or not to juice it as the raw beet and cooked beet will contain more fiber but it is highly difficult to eat raw beet as it doesn’t taste good while many nutrients get lost in the process of cooking. The juice may get concentrated but the nutrients are intact and it is also easy to digest.
200 ml of juice daily will be enough for a person and here are some benefits of drinking beet juice daily:
What makes beetroot one of the best foods for liver is the presence of betaine, iron, vitamin B, antioxidants and calcium in it. Betaine plays an important role in getting liver rid of toxins while pectin clears the toxins that are removed from the liver, ensuring that they don’t enter body. As per a study conducted in Poland, beets can very helpful in protecting the liver from oxidative damage.
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Regular consumption of beet results in improving the digestion and blood quality. In addition, they are used for treating constipation and other diseases related to digestion. The intake of beet is very helpful in the bowel movement as well and hence it improves the overall condition of the digestive system.
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We are living a very fast and hectic life which is resulting in increasing the number of blood pressure patients. However, as per a research conducted in Queen Mary University of London, daily consumption of beet juice can reduce blood pressure in four weeks. The experts say that it happens because there are nitrates in beet and our body converts them into nitric oxide; during the process, there is expansion in blood vessels. This will help those also who are at a risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Reduction in blood pressure will automatically reduce the risk of heart diseases and strokes. The Kansas State University published a report which states that the delivery of oxygen to the working skeletal muscles enhances after beet consumption. The capacity of moving arm or leg reduces if they don’t get oxygen properly and it further increases the chance of heart disease.
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It was found during a research that the rats which were fed with extract of beet, their good cholesterol level increased while there was a decrease in overall cholesterol levels which means that bad cholesterol was reduced. There is need for more research in this aspect but researchers feel that beet can reduce bad cholesterol as it is one of those very few food items which have zero cholesterol and low calories.
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As we have already said that body converts nitrates of beet into nitric oxide, it is further helpful in saving us from certain lifestyle diseases such as osteoporosis. The above findings have been made in a Japanese study and what boosts it more is the fact that beet also contains silica which in turn is helpful for the body in utilizing calcium to the optimum. This proves that regular consumption of beetroot juice not only saves body from osteoporosis but also from diseases like brittle bone disease.
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What makes beetroot one of the best food items for those who are trying to lose weight is the presence of fiber and nutrients. Consumption of beetroot juice is also helpful in weight-loss because it is sweet in taste and there is no need to add sugar in it. A diet which is high in sugar results in weight gain, hence beetroot juice should be in the list of those who want to lose weight as it not only reduces sugar intake but also provides proper nutrients to the body.
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Vitamin A and carotenoids which are present in beet greens can benefit skin a lot in terms of aging. These two with another antioxidant lutein fight free radicals and play an important part in reducing wrinkles. As per a Chinese study, the sugar beet molasses are very rich in anti-aging properties.
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The disease of anemia is caused by deficiency of iron and what can be a better vegetable other than beetroot to increase its level in the body as it is rich in iron. As per a report released by the University of Maryland Medical Center, the beet greens can also help in fighting anemia.
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As per a study, there is a strong possibility that beetroots can be beneficial for pregnant women because of the presence of nitrate in them, however a little more research is required in this context. What’s more, the presence of folic acid in beets can prevent neural tube defects in the baby.
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The betanin (a form of betalain) which is present in beetroots has the capacity to save body from the cancers of prostate and breast. A study conducted at Howard University of Washington reveals that beetroot consumption can also prevent lung and skin cancers. Its juice may also help in treating leukemia if consumed along with carrot juice.
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The presence of betalain, fiber and folate make beetroots one of the best foods for fighting inflammation. As per a research in Iran, beetroot is highly effective in fighting inflammation in juice form while another study conducted in Egypt found that beetroot extract can assist in treating inflammation in kidneys.
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The human body converts nitrates obtained from beetroots into nitric oxide which lets blood cells communicate with each other; as a result, the brain health gets improved. The nitrates are also helpful in improving blood flow to the brain and even Alzheimer can also be prevented by regular intake of beet juice as it enhances the brain’s cognitive functioning.
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Boron, the mineral which plays an important role in the production of sex hormones, is found in good amount in beet; hence they can be pretty helpful in improving the sexual health too. Another mineral betaine helps in relaxing the mind while tryptophan gives a feeling of happiness. Happiness along with relaxed mind matters a lot for a healthy and contented physical relationship.
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There are many other benefits of drinking beet juice such as it reduces chances of cataract formation. It also increases stamina as a study revealed that the endurance of cyclists increased by 20% after drinking beet juice while the professional divers are able to hold their breath for 11% more time under the water.
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