Believe it or not, the beetroot you eat has got medicinal benefits you never knew. It has enjoyed success as a remedy for more than 50 centuries. The Romans ate it to cure constipation and fever. Advances in medical sciences brought about further studies, which yielded further results.
Beetroots are crammed with essential nutrients that improve bodily functions. So, how does this bright pink vegetable help prevent disease? Sit back and take a look on these beetroot medicinal properties!
A cup of raw beets usually contains:
Beetroots provide recommended daily dosages of:
Beetroot is rich in minerals like manganese and folate. It also has considerable amounts of thiamine, riboflavin, choline, betaine, magnesium, potassium, zinc, selenium, pantothenic acid and copper.
Scientific studies have confirmed that raw beetroots combat dementia, prevent heart disease, hypertension and even regulate blood sugar levels. Raw beetroots act as a brilliant exercise supplement. They stimulate muscle oxygenation, helping you endure high-intensity exercises.
Beetroots contain strong antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and fungicidal characteristics. They have been known to treat gout and gall bladder. They also contain homocysteine, a compound that enhances stomach acid regeneration and reduces cholesterol. (1)
Although large quantities of beet may hinder calcium absorption, beets help cure and prevent arthritis by dissolving accumulated deposits around joints and tissues. The high alkaline content of beetroot juice is what prompts the dissolution of these deposits.
Anemia is a condition where the blood has low hemoglobin levels. Beetroots contain high quantity of phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, zinc, calcium, iodine, sulphur, copper, fat, Vitamin B1, B2, B6, Vitamin P and niacin. Hence, it helps combat anemia. (2)
Beetroots are a great cure for dementia. A recent study at Wake Forest University confirmed that drinking raw beetroot juice improves oxygenation in the brain. This process impedes the escalation of dementia in adults. Daniel Kim-Shapiro, Director, Translational Science Center, at Wake Forest University concludes that consumption of beetroot juice helps improve oxygenation in the needed areas.
Beetroots have alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant that lowers glucose levels and increases insulin sensitivity. It alleviates stress-induced changes in diabetics. Studies confirm that this antioxidant combats conditions like peripheral and autonomic neuropathy in diabetic people.
Beetroots contain choline. Choline is a key nutrient; it helps muscle movement, memory, cognitive functions and helps combat insomnia. It has also been known to preserve cellular membrane structure, aid nerve impulse transmission, assist in fat absorption and reduce inflammation. (3)
Beetroots can help alleviate hypertension and even prevent it. Beetroots contain nitrates, which get converted to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a key compound that helps relax and widen your blood vessels. This process improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure. (4)
The juice of raw beetroots improves muscle oxygenation while exercising. It can improve exercise tolerance. People with cardiovascular, metabolic and respiratory diseases, who are unable to exert themselves physically, will be able to do so with a regular intake of raw beetroots. (5)
Beetroots have anti-carcinogenic characteristics. They contain phytonutrients, which provide beets a distinct color. These phytonutrients may combat and prevent cancer. In some studies, beetroot extract helped reduce multi-organ tumors. There are studies being undertaken to study the efficacy of the extract to treat breast, pancreatic and prostate cancer.
Beetroots have been known to help prevent heart disease. Nitric oxide, a compound key to relaxing and dilating your blood vessels helps beetroots achieve this characteristic. Beetroots are thus effective in reducing the risk of heart disease.
Nitric oxide is essential for dilating blood vessels and helps improve blood flow. It becomes an effective prevention for arterial diseases like arteriosclerosis. Beetroots contain considerable amounts of nitric oxide thus helping reduce the chances of arteriosclerosis.
Some other medical conditions that beets can help prevent and cure includes varicose veins and some eye problems.
Beetroots have come a long way from simply being remedies for constipation and fever. Advancements in science have ensured that the nutritional and medicinal properties of beetroot can be studied at an advanced level. Do let us know if we missed out any other medicinal benefits of beetroot! To share your opinion, leave a comment below.