Benefits of beets, the red fruit which has a lot of goodness

Beetroot is a plant that comes from the family Amaranthaceae-Chenopodiaceae . This means that beets are still in the same family as turnip greens and other root vegetables. Generally, this fruit is only used for its sweet roots for health medicine. However, over time, the pulp and leaves are also consumed.

Beets were first consumed by people in Africa thousands of years ago. The roots of the fruit are so popular then spread to Asia and Europe. Then, these people cultivate and consume it in their area.

From the 16th to the 19th centuries, beets were used for several benefits. For example, the juice of the pulp is used as a food coloring. While the sugar content in the fruit is used as a sweetener mixture in food and beverages. Moreover, around the 19th century, this fruit began to be used as a mixture of ingredients to extract and refine sugar made from sugar cane.

What are the benefits and nutritional content of beets?

Beets or red beets are a type of tuber that is reddish purple in color. The shape resembles a potato and the benefits of beets are also found in the roots and stems. Usually, beets are consumed by juicing or processing them again into a meal with a soft texture.

Although the leaves can be cooked to be used as vegetables, beets are better known for their tubers which contain many health benefits. Beets are high in carbohydrates but very low in fat, calories and protein.

So it is very good for consumption for those who are undergoing a diet program. The content of betasianin (purple pigment) and betasantin (yellow pigment) found in beets is what makes the color dark red to purplish. Because of this thick color, beets are also often used as natural food coloring.

This fruit is often found in America and England, but if you want to buy it can be obtained at supermarkets. Come on, see the myriad of benefits of beets for the body in the explanation below.

Nutrients contained in beets

Beets can be found in the following nutrients:

• Folic acid
• Kaliumen
• Fiber
• Vitamin C
• Magnesium
• Iron
• Phosphor
• Tryptophan
• Caumarin
• Betasianin

Benefits of beet for health

1. Contains a lot of antioxidants in it

Antioxidants are compounds that help neutralize the entry of harmful free radicals in the body. Antioxidants can also prevent oxidative stress and damage good cells in your body.

In addition, several studies have found that antioxidants can protect the body against many types of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

The benefits of beets naturally also exist in the high content of disease-fighting phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. In fact, beets are considered to be a source of fruit that contains phytonutrients, namely, betalaines. Betalain is good for lightening skin tone. It is also able to help protect against the development of several types of cancer and other diseases in your body.

2. Natural detox for the body (kidney and liver)

The body can actually detoxify itself, this happens naturally to prevent you from being poisoned. First, there is the kidney detox organ which functions to filter blood and produce urine.

Then there are the lungs which function to remove carbon dioxide from the oxygen that has been inhaled. There is skin that works to push toxins and other harmful particles out through the pores. Furthermore, there is the liver which plays an important role in detoxification, namely by removing toxins and other harmful substances from the blood.

To encourage the body to remove toxins, beets can help some of these organs, especially the kidneys and liver, to keep working optimally. This was found from research in Poland.

This study tested a mouse that was given beetroot, the mice had previously experienced damage to the cells in its body. After being routinely given beets, research published in the journal Phytotherapy Research found that the mice became healthier.

These results were found in the bodies of mice, which showed that their enzyme levels were good and the detox organs in their bodies were maximally working to get rid of toxins in the body due to consumption of beets. Don't forget to also consume a combination of beet, carrot and cucumber juice, which is one of the best ways to cleanse the kidneys and liver from the toxins that accumulate in these two organs.

3. Can prevent hypertension

It has been proven that drinking juice from beetroot reduces high blood pressure. Its nitrate content, which is also found in green leafy vegetables, lowers blood pressure.

The results of research conducted by the Barts and London School of Medicine and also the Peninsula Medical School suggest this inexpensive way to reduce hypertension. According to Prof. Amrita Ahluwalia from Barts & London School of Medicine, drinking beet juice and other vegetables that are rich in nitrates will maintain heart health.

4. Increase stamina, the athlete's dream food

Research from the University of Exter in the UK states, drinking beet juice can help people who exercise, usually for athletes, become 16 percent stronger and have stamina because the content of nitrates can reduce oxygen burning in sports, so that fatigue can be reduced.

Beets have been shown to have benefits from one of the athlete's diets. This is because the nitrate content has been shown to make cells better at producing energy in the body, thereby increasing performance.

In addition, an experimental study in 2011 found that consuming beetroot juice regularly can increase a person's energy and stamina to 2.8 percent more energy.

Other studies have also shown that nitrate supplements, which can reduce fatigue during exercise and can strengthen high-intensity workouts, are suitable for athletes.

5. Prevent anemia

This reddish fruit is often associated with blood color, so it is used to treat anemia. Actually what overcomes anemia is its high iron content, which reactivates and regenerates red blood cells and supplies oxygen which is useful for the health of red blood cells.

6. Reduces digestive problems

Beets are a fiber-rich fruit that provides 3.8 grams in one cup serving of beets. The fiber content serves to help food move through the digestive tract. Fiber can also help soften stools, so that they can make your bowel movements comfortable, healthy, and regular.

A study found that fiber intake in fruit can make bowel movements for people who have constipation, or difficulty defecating, run smoothly. However, not only that, other studies have also shown that fiber intake from the benefits of beets also benefits digestive health in other ways as well and can protect against conditions such as infections of the intestines, hemorrhoids and GERD or stomach acid.

If you experience digestive problems, nausea, pain, or diarrhea, you can drink beetroot juice mixed with carrots with a tablespoon of lemon or lime juice. Drinking beet juice mixed with a tablespoon of honey in the morning before breakfast will help reduce bloating in the stomach.

7. Suitable for those who want to lose weight

Apart from being rich in nutrients, beets contain a lot of fiber but are low in calories. This is a great food source, if you are on a diet plan or want to lose weight. In fact, each cup of beets contains as much as 59 calories and 3.8 grams of fiber, or the equivalent of 15 percent of the fiber you need throughout the day.

When you consume fiber, fiber will move slowly in the digestive tract. This fiber helps you to endure hunger and stay full. According to one study in Boston, fiber intake of 14 grams a day can reduce daily calorie intake by up to 10 percent, you know. Not infrequently, the result is that your body weight can slowly shrink to 4 pounds for 4 months if you regularly consume beets and eat healthy foods.

8. Overcoming dandruff problems

To solve the problem of dandruff in your beautiful hair, try to boil a beet with a little, then rub it and massage it gently into the scalp. Leave overnight wrapped in a towel. The next day, rinse and shampoo.

9. Natural food coloring

The betanine content which produces a bright red color can be used for natural food coloring, for example ice cream, cake or pastries, and jelly.

10. Natural hair dye

If you are going to dye your hair with henna powder, try choosing a black color and then mixing it with red beet root juice. As a result, your hair will be black with burgundy and natural shades. Healthier and still naturally beautiful.

Beet leaves are also beneficial

Apart from the roots and flesh of the fruit, it turns out that beet leaves are also useful and can be consumed, you know. This reddish purple fruit leaves contain important nutrients such as protein, phosphorus, zinc, fiber, vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium, copper. Apart from that, the leaves also have a large amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron.

Beet leaves actually have more iron than the iron content in spinach (another leafy green in the same botanical family). Then, the nutritional value is also higher than the nutrients in the roots or in the pulp itself. Here are some of the benefits of the leaves:

• Help ward off osteoporosis by increasing bone strength
• Against Alzheimer's disease
• Strengthens your immune system by stimulating the production of antibodies and white blood cells

How do you cook or process beets?

Snack from beets - SUmber: Eathismuch.com

There are many ways to cook or process beets. Either of them can be eaten raw, put in stir-fries or recipes, or even baked.

When you eat raw beetroot, it has a slightly hard texture but is slightly sweet. Usually, people add beets to their salads or as an ingredient in their smoothies. By eating beets raw, you can get the overall nutrition from beets naturally.

Apart from being eaten raw, you can also mix beets as other ingredients in your cooking mixes. When you cook the beets, they will be softer and slightly sweeter. This fruit is often used with cheese or using balsamic vinegar.

Roasting beets can also provide a stronger sweet sensation. Because the sugar content in roasted beets can become real caramel liquid directly from sweet beet sugar.

Apart from roasting, beets can also be boiled or steamed. It is important to note, however, that cooking, roasting, or boiling beets for too long can cause some of the nutritional content in them to disappear. Better, don't over-cook, add the beetroot when it's almost ready to cook

This is useful for preventing oxidation and maximizing the nutritional value of your beets. Also, choose fresh beets, or beets that have been pickled for maximum nutritional benefits.

However, also pay attention to the following points before consuming beets

While there are many benefits to beets, there are a few things to keep in mind when consuming beets. Although it's rare, some people may be allergic to beets. If you experience food allergy symptoms such as hives, itching or swelling, stop using beets immediately and talk to your doctor.

In addition, remember that beets are one of the vegetables that contain high sugar. Consuming one cup serving of beets can have a negative effect on rising blood sugar levels. Therefore, not infrequently because of their high sugar content, beets are usually used in the production of refined sugar, which is called "beet sugar" or "beet juice vapor."

This type of sugar undergoes a fairly high chemical process and can even damage or eliminate the nutritional content of the beet itself. So it's important to pay attention to the beets that are processed and consumed. Beet sugar made from beet extract is just as dangerous as other types of refined sugar, such as white cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup.

Then what about the beets that are produced in cans? Canned beets are a good option if fresh beets aren't available, but it's important to remember that they contain very little of certain micronutrients, including folate and potassium. They may also be higher in sodium content. The tip, clean the canned beetroot with water before eating it. This aims to remove excess salt content in canned beets.

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