Beet It

Beets have become the latest new super food craze due to studies claiming that beets and beetroot juice can improve athletic performance, lower blood pressure and increase blood flow. You may have noticed, your local health food stores are touting beets in their juices and blended drinks.

Don’t confuse beetroot (beets) with sugar beets, as they are genetically and nutritionally different. Sugar beets are white and commonly used for sugar extraction for processed foods. Sugar cannot be obtained from beetroot, which are red and gold.

Beets are a great source of folate and manganese and also contains thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, pantothenic acid, choline, betaine, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, selenium and are high in dietary nitrate. One cup of raw beets contains only 58 calories, 13 grams of carbohydrate (including 9 grams of sugar and 4 grams of fiber) and 2 grams of protein. It provides 1% of daily vitamin A needs, 2% of calcium, 11% of vitamin C and 6% of iron.

Studies tell us that increasing your consumption of most plant foods, like beetroot can decrease the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and can actually help you to lose weight. Drinking beet juice has been known to lower blood pressure considerably with some people and improve oxygenation to the brain, slowing the progression of dementia. And with its high fiber content, beets helps to prevent constipation and promote regularity.

Not enough to get you on the juice? How about the fact that beet juice has been shown to improve muscle oxygenation during exercise, enhancing exercise tolerance during endurance exercises. Now beet it.