The beetroots and leaves have been used as medicines from ancient time for many ailments and conditions. Drinking glass of beetroot juice daily can offer you multiple health benefits.
One cup of beetroot or approximately 136 grams contain only 59 calories according to USDA data.
This amount provides daily value of 12% potassium, 15% dietary fiber and 4% each of carbohydrates and proteins.
It also provides daily value of calcium 2%, Iron. 6% and magnesium 7% in addition to Vitamin B6 5% and Vitamin C 7 %.
So beetroots rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients can't be ignored for it's health benefits.
Belong to the same family as spinach and chard, beets are also rich in phytonutrients betanin which offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties.
7 Health Benefits of Beetroot Juice
1. Boosts Energy
Beetroot juice has found it's way into sports people because of it's energy boosing capabilities.
Drinking beetroot juice prior to workout helps you to exert more longer than without it. So, if you feel tired try a cup of beetroot juice.
The nitric oxide formed in the blood stream is the main reason to transport more oxygen to cells due to better blood flow.
2. Lowers Blood Pressure
Almost all vegetables contain nitrates, but beetroot has almost 20x more nitrates than average. This kind of dietary nitrates goes through conversion process on stomach and finally enters as nitric oxide in the blood stream.
Nitric oxide relaxes the blood vessels and immediately reduces blood pressure. A. Glass of beetroot juice can immediately reduce the systolic blood pressure by 5 points.
If you are suffering from high blood pressure then you should consider drinking a glass of Beetroot Juice daily. Monitor your blood pressure and consult your doctor for lowering your doses of medicines.
Nitric oxide reduces the stiffness of the arteries to allow more blood flow. This results in lower blood pressure.
3. Lowers Blood Sugar
The soluble fiber in the beetroot helps in lowering blood sugar. A half a cup of beetroot consumption daily can keep your blood sugar levels under control.
4. Fights Inflammations
Beetroot contains many nutrients that provide different health benefits. Betanin is one such nutrient which reduces all kinds of Inflammations by protecting cells by interacting with proteins and enzymes.
Reduction in Inflammations directly converts into reduction in cardiovascular complications.
5. Improves Digestion
Drink half cup of beetroot juice before your meals. It helps in digestion.
6. Detoxifies Liver
Beetroot Juice has been in use to detoxify liver from ancient time.
It neutralizes toxins in the liver and helps liver cells to function well. This reduces further build ups of fatty acids in the liver. Keeping it healthy in the future.
7. Delays Aging
Beetroot protects your skin from the free radicals to maintain it's elasticity.
The antioxidants in the beetroot juice neutralize the free radicals. This is far better than using anti aging products topically. Beetroot Juice improves your skin from inside out.
It also maintains your hair on the scalp. Healthy skin and hair keeps you looking and feeling younger.
Other Benefits of Beetroot
It is believed that beetroot juice
- Fights cancer
- Increases sexual performance
- Reduces arthritis pains
- Improves eyesight
- Helps cognitive function
How to Prepare Beetroot Juice
For getting best out of the beetroot juice it is important that you select the best fresh and healthy beetroots for juicing.
Good quality fresh beets should have the greens in healthy condition with looking fresh without any spoilage. Beetroot also should be firm, vibrant and red-purple colored. You can remove the greens and store in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.
Wash with fresh running water before use.
Since beet juice tastes slightly bitter, it is a good idea to add carrot and lemon to make it more acceptable in taste. Both carrot and lemon enhance therapeutic value of Beetroot.
You will require two medium sized beetroots, one big size carrot and half a lemon
- Remove the tough outer skin by peeling it
- Cut each beet in 4 parts
- Extract juice of the first 4 pieces of the beet in vegetable juice extractor.
- Extract juice of carrot in the same extractor.
- Extract juice if the other 4 pieces of beet
Make sure that the extracted juice doesn't fall on your cloths as it pigments.
Squeeze half a lemon in the extracted juice and mix well. Your healthy beetroot juice is ready to drink.