Benefits, Uses and Side Effects of Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)
Introduction
Medicinal herbs, vegetables and fruits packed with nutritious values have been playing a major role in improving our health quality. These have been used specifically in curing diseases since ancient times. Plants and vegetables rich in this medicinal quality are also specially used in Ayurveda. One such vegetable is Beet.
Beet is one of the healthiest vegetables. It is the tap root of the beet plant. This plant is mostly grown for its taproot and leaves. Its scientific name is “Beta vulgaris”. The first trace of beet cultivation was found in the Mediterranean region. Apart from using it as food, it is also used as medicinal plant and food color. Since the Middle Ages, beets have been used not only as food but also as a treatment for many situations.
Benefits and Uses of Beetroot
Beets are grown in about 40 countries around the world. The ten notable countries cultivating beets are the US, Russia, France, Germany, Turkey, China, Ukraine, Poland, Egypt and Britain. Russia is the country that produces more beets. Russia produces 45 million tons of beets a year. India produces 25-30 million tons of beets annually. Some of the names of the beet producing states of India are Assam, Punjab, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.
Beet is a biannual root herb rarely an annual plant growing up to the height of 120 cm. The varieties cultivated in beets are mostly biennial. The leaves are oval, decorated together on a stem and increase in length by 20-40 centimeters (7.9-15.72 inches). The color of the leaf is green. The root size of the beet satiated below the ground may be small. The color of the beet is dark red. The dark red color of the beet is used as a natural food color.
Beetroot has many health benefits. Beets contain important nutrients for our health. Studies highlight its benefits in reducing blood pressure, boosting energy and fighting inflammation. These are also known as blood turnips. They are low in sodium and fat and are good sources of folate and are the ones that support mental and emotional health.
This article describes the beneficial information about the benefits of beetroot.
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Various Regional Names of Beetroot
- Assamese : Beet
- Hindi : Chukander
- Telugu : Beetroot
- Marathi : Biit
- Tamil : Beet
- Kannada : Beetroot
- Malayalam : Beetroot
Nutritional value per 100 gram of Beetroot
- Energy : 180 KJ (43Kcall)
- Carbohydrate : 9.56g
- Sugar : 6.76g
- Dietary fiber : 2.8g
- Fat :0.17g
- Protein : 1.61g
- Vitamin
- Vitamin A : 2 micrograms
- Beta-carotene : 20 micrograms
- Thiamine B1 : 0.031mg
- Riboflavin B2 : 0.04mg
- Niacin B3 : 0.334mg
- Pantothenic acid B5 : 0.155mg
- Vitamin B6 : 0.067mg
- Folate B9 : 109 microgram
- Vitamin B12 : 0.75 micrograms
- Minerals
- Calcium : 16 mg
- Iron : 0.8 mg
- Magnesium : 23 mg
- Manganese : 0.329 mg
- Phosphorus : 40 mg
- Potassium : 325 mg
- Sodium : 78 mg
- Zinc : 0.35 mg
- Other constituents
- Water : 87.58 g
Scientific Classification of Beetroot
- Kingdom : Plantae
- Clade : Tracheophytes
- Clade : Angiosperms
- Clade : Eudicots
- Order : Caryophyllales
- Family : Amaranthaceae
- Genus : Beta
- Species : B. Vulgaris
- Scientific name: Beta vulgaris
Benefits of Beetroot
1. Can lower Blood Pressure:
Beet naturally contains nitrates that are converted into nitric oxide in the human body. Nitric oxide helps relax and expand blood vessels, improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure. Beets are good for blood pressure; it is extremely beneficial as it helps in lowering blood pressure within a few hours.
2. Beet juice is good for Stamina:
Nitrates in the beets are converted into nitric oxide in the human body. This nitric oxide helps in reducing the amount of oxygen spent on low-intensity exercise as well as increasing tolerance for high-intensity exercise. Studies have shown that people who take beet juice before exercising are able to exercise for 16% longer periods.
3. Beets are good for heart patients:
High levels of Triglycerides in your body causes serious heart problems. Beetroot can reduce triglycerides and cholesterol by increasing the amount of good cholesterol (HDL). It helps in reducing the level of beet Homocysteine as it contains nutrient soursine. Consumption of beet can prevent the development of conditions such as Atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke.
4. Helps in reducing Congenital Disorder:
Beet is rich in Vitamin-B (folate) which helps in the formation of the spine of the baby in the womb. Thus beet can be a beneficial addition to a pregnant woman’s diet. Folate deficiency can lead to several complications such as defects in the nervous tract which means brain, spinal defects.
6. Beetroot juice for Dementia:
Blood flow to certain parts of the brain decreases with age and can lead to loss of consciousness and eventually lead to dementia. Research has shown that eating beet juice helps improve oxygen supply to the brain and reduces the progression of the disorder. High nitrate concentration in beet juice helps in this process.
7. Beetroot helps to prevent Respiratory Problems:
Vitamin C present in beet is a powerful antioxidant that is good for the immune system and fights the free radicals in the body. Apart from this, it also stimulates the functioning of white blood cells which is the primary body’s defense line against the alien bodies or pathogens. Beets contain natural beta carotene which helps in preventing lung cancer.
8. Helps to purify Blood and Liver:
Beets contain a Betalin pigment that supports the second stage detoxification process of your body. This process occurs when toxins are tied to other molecules so that they can be extracted from the body. Beets are valued all over the world for their ability to detoxify your body and thus purify your blood and liver.
9. Beetroot benefits for Eyes:
Beta-carotene in beet helps prevent cataracts which is a type of blindness that afflicts older people. Beta-carotene, a type of vitamin A, prevents macular degeneration in older people. So, consuming beet will contribute to healthy eyes.
10. Beet juice is good for Liver:
Beets contain calcium, betin, B vitamins, iron and anti-oxidant which is very good for your liver. Beet allows bile to run smoothly through the liver by diluting it. The fiber in the beet ensures that toxins are removed from your liver properly. Beet contains zinc and copper which helps in protecting liver cells.
11. Used as an Aphrodisiac:
Beets have been used as aphrodisiacs for centuries. Beets contain significant amounts of boron, a mineral that helps in producing sexual hormones. Beet can increase your libido, increase fertility and sperm mobility and also help reduce frigidity when you are close to your partner.
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Uses of Beetroot
Beet is one of the healthiest vegetables and its consumption can positively affect your health in many ways. We can prepare beet in different ways to consume; such as in salads and in different sweets and juice. It is also used in various medicines and cosmetics to cure diseases and enhance beauty.
Side Effects of Beetroot
- Excessive consumption of beets can lead to bituria in some people. This is a condition where your urine may look pink.
- Beet is rich in oxalate and excessive consumption can lead to the formation of kidney stones.
- In some rare cases, beets can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. This includes rash, honeycomb, itching, and even cold and fever.
- The betin present in beet can lead to complications in pregnant women.
- If you are suffering from gastrointestinal problems, consumption of beetroot can worsen the situation.
Excessive use of any product can harm our health so that it should be used regularly in the right quantity keeping in view the benefits and disadvantages of beetroot. Consult a doctor before using it as medicine for any serious health conditions.
Conclusion
The above article brings you the important and related information about the health benefits of beetroot. This information is only for knowledge purposes. Please consult your doctor before using it in any serious health conditions. Thank You!
FAQ
1/ How does beet help our body?
Ans: Beets are rich in folate (vitamin B9) which helps in the growth and function of cells. Folate plays an important role in controlling blood vessel damage, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
2/ Who should avoid eating beet?
Ans: A person who suffers from abnormal blood pressure or currently taking blood pressure medicine should consult a doctor before adding beet or beet juice to their diet. Beets contain high amounts of oxalate, which can cause kidney stones in people at high risk of this condition.
3/ Is beet good for hair?
Answer: Beet is considered one of the superfoods. You can use beet for hair, it allows better blood circulation to the scalp for the carotenoids present here and nourishes the hair follicles from within. Beet helps prevent hair loss.
4/ Can we eat raw beet?
Ans: Yes, you can. Remove the hard skin on top of the beet if you eat it raw. You can add finely grated fresh raw beetroots in salads and can also use it as garnish for soups.
5/ Is beet good for the liver?
Ans: Beetroot juice helps protect the liver from oxidative damage and inflammation, all of which increase its natural detoxification enzymes.