Beets are a starchy root vegetable which can be eaten in various ways; they can be boiled, baked, mashed and pickled. They can be enjoyed raw and shredded or can be added to your salad. Whichever way you choose, beets are important for a healthy diet and it has several nutrients which are required by an individual’s body.
Beets are highly beneficial and healthy for the human body. They play a vital role in curing many diseases. A few of the benefits are as follows:
Beets are a rich source of phytonutrients called betalains. They provide strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support.Beets can cure a number of health conditions, like liver related disorders for instance. This is due to the fact that they have certain properties which help in the detoxification process of the liver. The juicy content found in beets helps in stimulating liver cells and also helps in cleansing and protectingbile ducts.
Beets can also be useful in releasing the stress off kidneys to help cure gout. Gout is a medical condition which can cause constipation in the human digestive system.
Betacyanin is a pigment found in beets, which is what gives the beets their rich crimson color and acts as a cancer fighting agent. By consuming beets daily, individuals can treat leukemia, which is the first stage of blood cancer. Beets also help cleanse the blood and assist in the creation of more red blood cells. These benefit in treating anemia, which is the condition where an individual has low red blood cells.
A cup of boiled beets contains around 518 mg of potassium. The University of Maryland Medical Center has studied that adults need around 2,000 mg of potassium every day. This mineral plays an important role in the functioning of the human body. It allows the muscle to contract properly and helps in the maintenance of a regular heartbeat. It also conducts the electrical signals through the nervous system.
One serving of boiled beets contains about 136 mcg of folate. 400 mcg of folate are required by males and females older than 14 years of age, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements by the National Institutes of Health. Folate is needed by the body for the creation of red blood cells. It also helps in creating the DNA and RNA.
The total dietary fiber in a cup of boiled beets is 3.4 grams. Studies conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health show that a minimum of 20 grams of fiber shall be consumed every day. Fiber is important for the maintenance of a healthy and functioning digestive system. It ensures that the food we eat is processed properly. This way it reduces the risk of developing any digestion related disorder such as constipation or diverticulitis.
The University of Maryland Medical Center shows that adults older than 19 years need about 700 mg of phosphorus every day. A cup of boiled beets contains 65 grams of phosphorus. The human body needs phosphorus for many purposes; it helps in creating teeth and bones and supports the proper functioning of the kidney and muscle repair after a tedious exercise routine.
