Benefits of Beetroot And Its Side Effects | Lybrate (2024)

Beetroot has the highest sugar content of all vegetables but is very low on calories and have negligible quantities of cholesterol. Incorporating beetroot into your diet can provide you with a host of benefits and keep you healthy as they are rich in vitamins, minerals and organic compounds like carotenoids, lutein or zeaxanthin, glycine, betaine, dietary fibre and Vitamin C.

In addition to these, a number of essential minerals like magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorus are present in beetroot which help to regulate various body processes.

Nutritional facts Per 100 Grams

Vitamins and Minerals

After getting nutritional value of beetroot, let's check out the best health benefits of Beetroot. You can use beetroot powder and beetroot juice for skin pigmentation and skin lightening process. You can also use beetroot in a different form such as powder and juice

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Beetroot can lower blood pressure

Beets have naturally occurring nitrates which are converted into nitric oxide in the human body. Nitric oxide helps to relax and dilate blood vessels , improves blood flow and reduces blood pressure. Beetroot is good for blood pressure, it is extremely beneficial as it helps to lower blood pressure within a couple of hours.

Beetroot juice good for stamina

The nitrates present in beet get converted into nitric oxide in the human body. This nitric oxide helps to reduce the amount of oxygen expended for low-intensity exercises and also enhances tolerance to high-intensity exercises. Studies have shown that people who consume beet juice prior to exercise are able to exercise for a 16% longer period of time.

Beetroot good for heart patients

High levels of triglycerides in your body poses serious problems to the heart. Beetroot reduces triglycerides and cholesterol by increasing the amount of HDL cholesterol or good cholesterol. Beetroot also helps to decrease the level of hom*ocysteine as it contains the nutrient betaine. Development of conditions like atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes can be prevented by consumption of beet.

Beetroot helps to reduce birth defects

Beets are a rich source of Vitamin B folates and it helps in the formation of a baby’s spinal column. Thus beet can be a beneficial addition to the diet of a pregnant woman. Folate deficiency can lead to a number of complications like defects in the neural tubes which means defects in the brain, spine or spinal cord.

Beetroot helps to prevent cancer

Beetroot contains the pigment betacyaninis which can prevent the growth of cancer cells. Beetroot are good for preventing colon, lung and skin cancer. Nitrates are used as preservatives in meat and their consumption may result in the formation of nitrosamine compounds in the body which can lead to cancer. Beetroot juice helps to reduce or stem the cell mutations caused by these compounds.

Beetroot juice for dementia

Blood flow to certain areas of the brain decrease with age and this can lead to loss of cognition and eventual dementia. Researches have shown that drinking beetroot juice helps to improve supply of oxygen to the brain and slows the progression of dementia. The high nitrate concentration in beet juice aids this process.

Beetroot helps to prevent respiratory problems

Beetroot aids in purification of blood and liver

Beetroot contains betalin pigments which support your body’s Phase 2 detoxification process. This process occurs when broken down toxins are bound to other molecules so that they can be excreted from the body. Beetsroot are valued all over the world for their ability to detoxify your body and thus purify your blood and liver.

Beetroot benefits for eyes

Beta-carotene which is present in beetroot helps to prevent cataract which is a type of blindness that mostly afflicts old people. Beta-carotene, which is a form of Vitamin A, also prevents macular degeneration in elderly people. Thus, consumption of beet will help you to have healthy eyes.

Beetroot juice is good for liver

Beetroot used as an aphrodisiac

Beetroots have been used as an aphrodisiac for centuries. Beetroot contain significant levels of boron, a mineral, which helps to stimulate the production of sexual hormones. Beetroot can cause a boost in your libido, increase fertility and sperm mobility and also help to reduce frigidity when you are getting intimate with your partner.

Beetroot is one of the healthiest vegetables and consuming it can positively impact your health in a number of ways. Beetroot prevents colon, skin and lung cancer. It also takes care of your liver and ensures a seamless movement of bile.

Beetroot enhances your immunity and takes care of your heart in a number of ways. It reduces the chances of various defects that may occur to a child during birth and so it beneficial for expecting mothers. It also helps to reduce macular degeneration and helps prevent respiratory ailments.

There is no denying the fact that beetroot has quite a number of beneficial effects. But there is a flipside to this story too. Excessive consumption of beet may result in beeturia in some people. It is a condition where your urine may appear pink.

Beetroot is rich in oxalates and excessive consumption may lead to a person developing kidney stones. Although in some rare cases, beetroot may cause allergies in certain individuals. These allergic reactions may include rashes, hives, itchiness, and even chills and fever.

Betaine present in beetroot may cause complications in pregnant women. And, if you are suffering from gastrointestinal problems, consumption of beetroot may aggravate the situation.

Oldest archaeological evidences suggest that beetroot in ancient times were found on the Neolithic site of Aartswoud in the Netherlands and in Saqqara pyramid at Thebes, Egypt. Greek also cultivated beetroot in around 300 B.C. However, they used to consume the leaves and not the roots. Modern beetroot appeared in the 16th and 17th century in Europe. It became popular in central and eastern Europe after a few hundred years.

Beetroots should be sown 2 cms deep. Seeds or seedlings should be sown at a distance of 5 to 10 cms and it is better to sow them in rows. Beetroots grow best in cool conditions. Garden beets can be grown on a variety of soils but well-drained loams and sandy loams are considered the best.