Just Beet It! The Purple Root of Power

Beetroots have been gaining popularity among the health conscience as a healing and health-enhancing superfood. Its rich dark purplish hue adds a visual appeal to any dish that includes it, such as salads and stir-fries. Steamed beetroot is a firm favourite of many, for it retains the sweet flavour of the beet while rendering it more tender to the bite. They may be all the rage now, but they are in no way a newcomer to the health food scene, being used for hundreds of years to treat inflammation, troubled skin, blood issues, etc.

Here are some health benefits you could enjoy just by adding beets into your diet, if not daily, then perhaps twice a week at least!

• With its known high concentration of nitrates, daily consumption of beetroots may result in a blood pressure-lowering effect, and in turn, a reduced risk of heart problems.
• Beets contain pigments called betalains, which are now believed to possess a number of anti-inflammatory properties
• Consumption of beets have been shown to improve blood flow to the frontal lobe of the brain, in particular, resulting in marked improvements in memory, decision making and higher-level thinking.
• Delicious, versatile and easy to incorporate into your daily or weekly diet plan.
• The antioxidant content and anti-inflammatory nature of beets have experts and scientists now looking into its ability to prevent cancer.
• Eating beetroot or drinking beetroot juice regularly helps to cleanse and detoxify the liver
• Beets have a high water and low calorie content, hence are beneficial for weight loss. If you wish to lose a few pounds, well, just beet it!
• Eating beets 2-3 hours prior to training or competing may help improve the efficiency of mitochondria, which are responsible for producing energy in cells, hence improving one’s athletic performance.
• Beets are a good source of fiber, which is beneficial for digestive health, and a crucial component of a healthy diet.

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What you get with every 100 grams of lightly cooked beetroot:

• Calories: 44
• Protein: 1.7 grams
• Fat: 0.2 grams
• Fiber: 2 grams
• Vitamin C: 6% of the RDI
• Folate: 20% of the RDI
• Vitamin B6: 3% of the RDI
• Magnesium: 6% of the RDI
• Potassium: 9% of the RDI
• Phosphorous: 4% of the RDI
• Manganese: 16% of the RDI
• Iron: 4% of the RDI

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Beetroot juice: Drink up and enjoy these benefits!

• Natural detoxifier
• Healthy, glowing skin
• Helps to manage blood pressure
• Lowers blood glucose
• Boost of energy
• For better digestive health
• Anti-inflammatory