How frequently do you include beetroot in the diet? Well, if does not remember when ate this purplish red root the last time. Here are 11 amazing health benefits of beetroot
One want to start consuming it due to its multiple health benefits. From keeping the blood sugar levels in control to improving the sexual stamina, this vegetable is well know solution for anaemia in many Indian households. In addition to acting as natural food colour, it can be consumed in the form of juice, salad, or halwa. And above all, there are 11 reasons one should include beetroot into the diet.
Table of Contents
11 amazing health benefits of beetroot
Lowers the blood pressure levels
Beetroot is great source of nitrates, which when consumed, is converted into the nitrites and gas called nitric oxides. Both these components help to widen the arteries and lower the blood pressure. Researchers also found that people having just about 500 grams of beetroot every day reduces the person’s blood pressure in about six hours.
Reduces the ‘bad’ cholesterol and prevent plaque formation
Beetroot is also known to contain the large amounts of soluble fibres, flavanoids and betacyanin. Betacyanin is a compound that gives the beetroot its purplish red color and is also powerful antioxidant. It helps to reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and does not allow it to deposit on walls of the artery. This protects the heart from the potential heart attacks and stroke reducing the need for medication.
11 amazing health benefits of beetroot
Good for the pregnant women and unborn child
Another wonderful quality of the root is that it has an plentiful supply of folic acid. Folic acid is very important for the pregnant mums and unborn babies because it is an essential component for proper formation of the unborn child’s spinal cord, and can also protect the child from conditions such as spina bifida is congenital disorder where the child’s spinal cord does not form completely and in most cases looks like it has been divided into two at base. Beetroot also gives mums to be that an extra energy enhances required during the pregnancy.
Beats an osteoporosis
Beetroot is packed with the mineral silica, an important component for body to use calcium efficiently. Since calcium makes up bones and teeth, having a glass of beetroot juice per day could help to keep conditions such as osteoporosis and brittle bone disease at the bay.
Keeps diabetes under check
People suffering from the diabetes can fulfil their sweet longing by adding the little beetroot in their diet. Being medium glycaemic index vegetable means it releases the sugars very slowly into blood, it helps in maintaining the blood sugar levels low while satiating the sugar desire. Also, this vegetable is low in the calories and fat-free making it the perfect vegetable for diabetics.
Treats an anaemia
It is common myth that because beetroot is reddish in color, it replaces lost blood and is therefore good to treat anaemia. While this might sound bit outrageous to many, there is partial truth hidden in myth. Beetroot contains lot of iron. Iron helps in the formation of haemagglutinin, which is the part of blood that helps to transport oxygen and nutrients to various parts of the body. It is an iron content and not the colour that helps to treat anaemia.
Helps relieve fatigue
A study presented at an American Diabetics associations conference stated that the beetroot helps to increase a person’s energy. They said that due to its nitrate content it helped to widen the arteries thereby helping in the proper transportation of oxygen to various parts of body, increasing person’s energy. Another theory was that because the root is a rich source of iron, it helps in improving the person’s stamina. Whatever the source, a pick-me-up at end of a tiring day can be just what one needs.
Improves a sexual health and stamina
Also known as natural Viagra, beetroot has been commonly used in the number of ancient customs to enhance one’s sexual health. Since the vegetable is the rich source of nitrates it helps to release nitric oxide into the body, widening the blood vessels, and increasing the blood flow to the genitals a mechanism that medicines like Viagra seek to replicate. Another factor is that beetroot contains a lot of boron, a chemical compound that is important for production of the human sex hormone. So the next time, ditch the blue pill and have some beetroot juice instead.
Protects from cancer
The betacyanin content in the beetroot has another very important function. Betacyanin helped to slow the growth of tumours by 12.5 % in patients with a breast and prostate cancer. This effect not only helps in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers but it also helps to cancer survivors remain cancer-free longer.
Beats constipation
Because of its high soluble fibre content, beetroot acts as the great laxative. It helps in regularising the bowel movement by softening stools. It also cleanses the colon and reddens out the harmful toxins from the stomach. Here are few home remedies to relieve constipation.
Boosts the brain power
Drinking beetroot juice could improves a person’s stamina by 16 %, because of its nitrate content. And also known to increase the oxygen uptake by body, the study also found that because of this one factor, it could also help in the proper functioning of brain and beat the onset of dementia. It has also been seen that nitrate when converted to nitrite helps in the better transmission of neural impulses, making the brain work better.
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