The Beautiful Beet

The Beautiful Beet 

Beets and beet greens are among one of the healthiest of root vegetables that are available  throughout most of the year. 

The ancient Romans were among the first to cultivate Beets for food, however they are also native to the seashores of Asia and Europe. Beets are a two-in-one vegetable as you can enjoy both the root and the leaves as beet greens. 

Common table beets come in red, golden and white/pink combinations. The pigment in red beets is called betacyanin and the pigment in golden beets is called betaxanthin. Both of these phytonutrients provide powerful antioxidants protection. Studies have shown these pigments have anti-inflammatory and anti-hepatitis effects as well as antimicrobial properties.  

Compounds in the beetroot have been shown to lower blood pressure and increase the liver's production of bile and help activate certain enzymes in the liver. These enzyme groups are crucial for the liver's ability to clean our blood and emulsify fats and cholesterols. 

Beetroot and beet greens are an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, lutine, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, folate and high in minerals like Iron, calcium and magnesium, manganese, potassium, B vitamins, antioxidants, dietary fiber, as well as Nitrates. 

If you eat beet and you notice pink urine or red stools, don’t panic… This is a called beeturia, it is said to occur in 10-14% of the population, and is more common in people who have iron deficiencies and/or malabsorption syndrome. The breakdown of these pigments lay largely on the gastric PH and emptying rate of the stomach. 

If you are not a fan of eating fresh beets, consider adding a good organic beet supplement to your diet. I prefer AF Betafood and Betafood when I am not eating roasted beets. 

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