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Beetroot can generally be described as a healthy and inherently unique vegetable. Its nutritional values are more or less the same whether you eat it raw or cooked (except for some vitamins, such as vitamin C). This vegetable was even often used by Hippocrates to treat various ailments.
Therapeutic properties of beetroot
For many years beetroot has been used to treat blood disorders such as anemia or iron deficiency because it contains a very high amount of iron. In fact, after garlic it is the second vegetable with the highest iron content. In addition, beetroot also contains a lot of iodine. Among common vegetables only kale has more. It is also known to stimulate the metabolism and provide the body with necessary nutrients, mainly antioxidants.
Why include beetroot in your diet?
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Fights oxidative stress: Beetroot helps neutralize damage caused by free radicals thanks to compounds such as betalains and polyphenols.
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Strengthens blood vessels: A high content of B vitamins contributes to strengthening the walls of blood vessels and capillaries.
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Protection for the heart and bones: Beetroot is rich in folic acid and potassium, which protect the heart. Magnesium strengthens bones, phosphorus and iron increase energy production, and iodine ensures the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones.
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Formation of red blood cells: Vitamins B12 and folic acid support the production of red blood cells.
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Regeneration and rejuvenation of the body: Folic acid stimulates the creation of new cells, which contributes to the body’s regeneration.
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Anticancer effects: Betacyanins in beetroot have a strong anticancer effect by suppressing the proliferation of cancer cells.
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Digestive support: A high fiber content supports good digestion and nutrient absorption.
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Acceleration of metabolism: Beetroot speeds up the metabolism, which is helpful for people trying to lose weight as well as for athletes who need a lot of available energy.
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Efficient vitamin D absorption: The absorption of vitamin D from food is more efficient in the presence of substances from beetroot.
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Prevention of neurodegenerative diseases: Beetroot has proven to be an effective food for preventing dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Binding and removal of heavy metals: It contains more pectin than an apple or a carrot. Pectin helps bind and remove heavy metals and radioactive substances.
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Protection against disease: Pectin prevents the onset of disease, inhibits the spread of harmful bacteria in the intestines, and has strong anticancer effects, especially against leukemia.
Additional benefits of beetroot
As you can see, the healing properties of beetroot are truly versatile. So, have we convinced you of the benefits of consuming beetroot? If not yet, we’ll list a few more of its properties at the end.
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- Lowering cholesterol: Beetroot lowers bad cholesterol.
- Regulation of blood pressure: It helps lower high blood pressure.
- Liver cleansing: Beetroot cleanses and regenerates the liver.
- Improvement of brain functions: It improves cognitive functions.
- Antisclerotic effects: It has a positive effect on the prevention of atherosclerosis.
- Improving fat metabolism: It helps make fat metabolism more efficient.
