17 Amazing Health Benefits of Beets

The most powerful health benefits of beets include their ability to lower blood pressure, improve digestion, and boost athletic performance. They also help in providing relief from macular degeneration, improve blood circulation, aid in skincare, prevent cataract, build immunity, and relieve respiratory problems. These benefits of beetroots can be attributed to their richness in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

What are Beets?

Beets or beetroots, as they are often called, belong to the Chenopodiaceae family. Beetroots are one of the varieties of the Beta vulgaris species. They are frequently added as an ingredient to salads, soups, and pickles and are also used as a natural coloring agent. Even though they are available throughout the year and can be eaten every day, they are still considered seasonal vegetables. Beet lovers think of the taste as earthy; however, several people avoid these root vegetables as they think beets taste like dirt. Beets are a valuable source of sucrose, which makes them a viable replacement for tropical sugar cane. They are frequently used to make refined sugar. The history of beets stretches back to ancient times, and the earliest signs of their cultivation were approximately 4,000 years ago in the Mediterranean region. They have long been associated with sexuality, and have been known and used as an aphrodisiac for thousands of years. ^[1]

Fresh beetroots on a table Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Nutrition

Beets are low in calories, with one cup (136g) of raw beetroot containing just 58 calories. However, beets have the highest sugar content of all vegetables and are relatively high in carbohydrates.

According to USDA National Nutrient Database ^[3], beets are highly nutritious root vegetables that are a great source of vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, sodium, iron, folate, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, vitamin C, and B vitamins such as thiamin, niacin, and riboflavin. Rich in antioxidants, beets get their deep color from the betalain pigment, which has potent anti-inflammatory properties. They are also abundant in phytochemical compounds such as anthocyanins, carotenoids, lutein/zeaxanthin, glycine, and betaine. They are a great source of dietary fiber and are low in fat, cholesterol, and calories.

Health Benefits

The most popular health benefits of beets include the following:

May Lower Blood Pressure

Beets are abundant in dietary nitrates, which get converted into nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide helps to relax and dilate the blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure and preventing hypertension. Dr. Shannon Amoils, senior research advisor at the British Heart Foundation, in his study said, “A daily glass of beetroot juice can lower blood pressure in people with hypertension – even those whose high blood pressure was not controlled by drug treatment.” ^[4]

May Improve Athletic Performance

A research paper published in the Journal of Applied Physiology shows that consumption of nitrate-rich, whole beets improves running performance in healthy adults. In another study, researchers found that people who drank beet juice increased their oxygen uptake by up to 16 percent. This is more than what a normal person can improve by training extensively! Beet juice has shown to improve athletic performance in runners, swimmers, and cyclists, making it an interesting sports drink that most people would never consider. ^[5]

Beets contain a significant amount of carbohydrates that provide energy for prolonged sports activities. Carbohydrates are the natural building blocks of energy metabolism, and beets provide them without any of the negative side effects of many other carbohydrate-heavy foods. Optimal levels of carbs ensure the peak functioning of all important metabolic reactions that keep the organs functioning efficiently. ^[6]

May Boost Digestion

In the Middle Ages, beetroots were used as a remedy for digestive disorders including constipation. The fiber and the antioxidants present in beets help to flush out the body from toxic substances, keeping digestive health at an optimal level. ^[7]

May Improve Brain Health

Beets improve brain neuroplasticity due to the nitrates present in them. These nitrates help increase oxygenation of the somatomotor cortex. As people get older, blood flow to the brain decreases, which often leads to decreased cognition. Eating beets can slow or prevent this process. The study published in the Journals of Gerontology confirms that beetroot juice in combination with exercise in older adults can have a more positive impact. ^[8]

May Promote Weight Loss

Packed with nutrients and fiber, beets are an excellent addition to a weight-loss diet. Magnesium and potassium in beets help to detoxify the body and flush out excess water, preventing bloating. These nutrients help to optimize metabolism and losing excess weight. Beet juice is often prescribed in detoxifying diets.

May Prevent Anemia

Red beetroots have a significant amount of iron, which helps prevent anemia and boosts the regeneration of red blood cells. Furthermore, vitamin C in beets aids in boosting iron absorption.

May Promote Liver Detoxification

Betaines, in beets, stimulate the functions of the liver and keep it healthy, according to one animal study. Also, pectin, a water-soluble fiber in these root vegetables, helps flush out toxins from the liver. They are one of the superfoods that have the ability to reverse fatty liver. ^[9]

Beetroots are frequently added as an ingredient to salads, soups, and pickles and are also used as a natural coloring agent.

May Act as Aphrodisiac

Beets have been considered an aphrodisiac, or sexual booster for millennia. Part of this stems from the fact that beets contain significant levels of the mineral boron which helps boost the production of sexual hormones. This may lead to a boost in libido, increased fertility, improved sperm motility. Your sexual life can get a legitimate and time-tested push in the right direction by adding beets to your diet.

May Reduce Birth Defects

Beets are good for pregnant women since they are a source of B-vitamin folate, which helps in the development of an infant’s spinal column. The deficiency of folate can lead to various birth defects such as neural tube defects. ^[10]

May Prevent Respiratory Problems

Beetroot is a source of vitamin C that can help prevent asthma symptoms. Besides defending against the effects of free radicals in the body, the vitamin also stimulates the activity of white blood cells, which are the body’s main line of defense against foreign bodies, as well as viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan toxins that can result in a multitude of infections and illnesses. ^[11]

Boost Immunity

Beets are extremely nutrient-dense which helps boost immunity levels in the body and it is known to fight fever and colds. Vitamin C, B-complex, and powerful antioxidants in these root vegetables help prevent fatigue, soothe minor aches and pains, and reduce inflammation.

Reduce Macular Degeneration

The beta-carotene present in beetroot aids in reducing or slowing macular degeneration in the eyes. Macular degeneration is often associated with an increase in free radicals, which drastically affect the premature aging process of many people. Beta-carotene is a powerful form of vitamin A, which has antioxidant properties and defends the eyes against the damaging effects of free radicals, according to a study published in the journal Food Chemistry. ^[12]

Prevent Cataracts

The presence of beta-carotene, which is a form of vitamin A, in beets helps prevent age-related blindness called cataracts. ^[13]

Capillary Fragility

The flavonoids and vitamin C in beets help support the structure of capillaries, which are the smallest blood vessels in the body. ^[14]

High Source of Fiber

Eating a diet rich in fiber-rich foods, such as beets, helps prevent chronic diseases. They contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. While soluble fiber helps lowers cholesterol, insoluble fiber helps in preventing constipation. ^[15]

Promote Bone Health

The minerals in beets such as boron, copper, and magnesium help bones develop normally and boost bone metabolism. These root vegetables also contain potassium, which conserves calcium within the body and reduces the loss of calcium through the urine.

Anti-aging

High in folate, beets help in the optimal functioning and repair of cells. This helps prevent premature aging. Abundant in antioxidants and vitamin C, beets are a natural way to ensure the glow on your skin!

How to Eat?

Beets can be eaten in many ways but before consuming them, you need to remove the thin skin. Here are some of the ways you can use beets in your daily diet:

• Salads and soups: Beets can be sliced and added to a salad, or they can also be simply eaten raw. Remove the thin skin, slice, and season the beet with salt, pepper, and lemon juice, and a healthy snack is ready. Another way to eat them is by using them to make soups, like the traditional Borscht.
• Roasted or steamed beets: You can roast beets whole or sliced. You can also add them to your roasted root vegetable mix. The other way to cook these roots vegetables is to steam them. Quarter the unpeeled beets and steam them for 15 minutes.
• Pickled beets: You can easily make pickled beets at home by using vinegar and they are also available in grocery stores. Pickled beets are low in fat and are a rich source of dietary fiber, carbohydrates, and minerals.
• Beet juice: You can easily make beet juice by putting them in a blender.
• Beet greens: The greens are used to make a side dish or in salads. These leaves are packed with important nutrients such as potassium, copper, magnesium, and vitamin A, K, and C. They also help lower the risk of chronic diseases.
• Desserts: Beets are used commonly in vegan chocolate cakes as they pair well with chocolate and help give these plant-based dishes a deeper flavor.

Side Effects

Beets, if eaten in excess, may cause the following problems:

• Beeturia: They can cause your urine to turn pink. While this is not a health problem, it is important to note the pink urine from beets as an indication that you may be deficient in iron.
• Kidney stones: Beets contain oxalates, which when consumed in excess can cause kidney and bladder stones.
• Allergy: Some people develop rashes, hives, itchiness, or even chills when they eat beets.
• Colored stools: Beets can cause the stools to appear pink or red due to its natural pigments. This is harmless, but if it continues for a few days, you may want to avoid beets to stay safe.
• Low blood pressure: Due to its ability to lower blood pressure, people on blood pressure medications should exercise caution when eating beets to avoid health complications.
• Blood sugar spike: Beets are high in sugar and also moderately high in the glycemic index list. Excess intake can cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels. Speak with your doctor about consuming them if you are living with diabetes or having medications for the same.
• Pregnancy: Pregnant women should avoid excessive consumption of beets due to the high levels of nitrates as they may be sensitive to it.
• Flatulence: Eating too many beets can cause indigestion, stomach upset, loose stools, and flatulence due to high-fiber content.
• Gout: They are high in oxalates which can build up uric acid in the body, leading to gout.