The Benefits of Beets May Surprise you

The Benefits of Beets May Surprise you

It is no wonder beetroot supplements have become the new rage. The benefits of beets, beetroot juice and powdered beet supplements such as Salus Red Beet Crystals are impressive.

Beets are a compact powerhouse of phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals but their advantages are more than just being vitamin-packed. They also contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids that are beneficial for eye health. (Macular Degeneration and Cataracts) Beetroot also has a high concentration of naturally occurring nitrates, converting them to nitric oxide in the body. This molecule relaxes and widens blood vessels and affects how efficiently cells use oxygen. For this very reason, consuming beetroot juice every day has shown promise for lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. There are more advantages to increased blood flow than just heart health. The increase of oxygen in your blood has shown benefits for brain health and even endurance with athletes, especially when consumed before the activity.

This same increase of oxygen means that an athlete's heart and lungs do not have to work as hard during exercise, allowing them to perform a more vigorous activity for more extended periods. The recommendation for this effect is to consume Beet Root Juice or Powder 90 minutes before exercise.

Beets contain pigments called "Betalains" that play a role in cell protection and helping the body to fight inflammation by inhibiting the production of specific enzymes (cyclo-oxygenase enzymes), which are partially responsible for creating the inflammatory responses.

The high fibre content of beets helps to keep you regular and naturally detoxifies the liver.  Beet fibre moves through the intestines undigested (insoluble fibre) and soaks up water along the way, adding bulk to your stool, providing a cleansing effect on the large intestine.

It is the same cleansing effect of beets that helps lower triglycerides (a type of fat) in the blood, which, if left uncontrolled, can lead to fatty liver and heart disease.

Beets are a great addition to any diet plan, not just for the cleansing effect, but they are high in potassium, which is a critical mineral in electrolyte balance, and many diets such as the Keto Diet can play havoc on the body's electrolyte balance. (Electrolytes are required for proper nerve and muscle function.)

 

The Easiest Way to Getting Your Daily Dose of Beets

For all the significant advantages of beets, the likelihood of eating them every day in their raw form, which is where the most health benefits come from, is improbable. They are time-consuming to cook and extremely messy to prepare. Leaving your choice of beets to come from ready-made juice versions, canned or pickled, that all tend to be overcooked, over-sugared and contain other non-essentials. You can, however, choose to get your daily dose of beets through a powdered supplement such as Salus Red Beet Crystals.  Salus Red Beet Crystals are made from organic beetroot juice freshly pressed 2-3 hours of harvesting and then specially dried to retain all the powerful antioxidants, nutrients, fibre and goodness.  Salus Red Beet Crystals are super easy to incorporate into your daily routine. You can add them to smoothies, soups, meals or mixed in water or any liquid.

Keep in mind that no matter how great beets, beet juice and powders are, consuming beets in high amounts every day can have some unwanted effects.  First, the colour of your urine and stools may turn red or pinkish after eating beets.

It is harmless and even has a name known as "beeturia." If you have low blood pressure, drinking beetroot juice every day may cause a temporary blood pressure drop.  

Resources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4425174/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5295087/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5784918/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22248502
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11714300
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2886220
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19292473/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20951824/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24455404/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31938641/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3018552/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23884387/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23231777/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19661447/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21284982/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27278926/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6947971/

 

The information in this article is meant to treat or diagnosis and is intended for information purposes only. If you are taking medications for the ailments mentioned in this article or have any other health concerns discuss them with your health care provider.
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