Beetroot: More than Just a Root Veggie

Yeah, beetroot is yummy–but anyway, what’s the hype?

Is it some kind of magic? Perhaps.

Earthy, sweet–and scrumptious—beetroot is a ‘root’ vegetable packed with ultra-healthy benefits. Be it for your love of bold pop of colour in salads or sips of fresh juice in the morning–you can play with this root veggie in diverse ways. While taste and colour are essential, beetroot benefits make it a fantastic addition to your diet.

Let’s cut to the chase and read about this one-of-a-kind earthy delight and some easy-peasy beetroot recipe ideas.

Beetroot Nutrition: Quick Catchup!

First, the red root veggie is more than just about the stark colour and taste; the impressive thing for you to note first is beetroot nutrition. This vegetable is—no sugarcoating—a treasure trove of minerals, vitamins, and bioactive compounds that are essential boosters for overall health.

Let’s quickly check up on them:

Best of Both Worlds: Beetroot Benefits

Love the deliciousness packed in little red bites on your salad? Let us tell you—there are mind-blowing beetroot benefits that will make you cherish this veggie even more.

From heart to skin–here below are the various perks that you ‘must’ know about:

Makes a Friend for Heart Health

Beetroot can play an incredible role in cardiovascular health. The high nitrate content in beetroot converts to nitric acid in the body, helping relax blood vessels. This enhances blood circulation and reduces the risk of heart attack. According to several studies, regular consumption of beetroot juice can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure at a remarkable level. So, if you are looking for a natural heart health booster—you’ve beetroot! 

Boosts Brain Health

Guess what? Good blood flow does good more than just to your heart! Enter brain. The nitrate content in beetroot contributes to the dilation of blood vessels, thus boosting blood and oxygen flow to the brain. Not only does beetroot benefits your concentration level, but it also supports memory—and overall cognitive function. To top it all, it helps prevent various brain diseases as well.

Improves Athletic Performance

Did you know that beetroot benefits athletes tremendously? Thanks to beetroot nutrition, this root delight is just as important for endurance and stamina as it is for the heart and brain. The nitrate content helps contribute to oxygen utilisation, meaning your muscles can access more oxygen without much effort. This results in improved performance, less fatigue and faster recovery periods. 

Detoxifies Like a Pro

If you know a tidbit about the red-root-veggie, you must have been expecting this as one of the beetroot benefits on the list. With betalain content, beetroot works like a natural detoxifier and helps eradicate toxins from the body. Moreover, betalains also fight oxidative stress and inflammation associated with various chronic illnesses. To top it all, the fibre content backs gut health by aiding in regular bowel movement and contributes to waste removal.

Helps with Haemoglobin

This is arguably one of the beetroot's most renowned benefits. Beetroot helps regenerate blood cells in the body. It is a robust source of iron, along with potassium, folic acid, and fibre. Thus, it boosts blood circulation and haemoglobin production, making it one of the best foods for haemoglobin, especially for people with amenia.

Is Beetroot Good for Diabetes?

If you are wondering whether or not beetroot is good for diabetes, here’s some reassuring news for you: It does make a fantastic—and healthy—addition to your diet. With a low glycemic index and high fibre content, beetroot is risk-free regarding spikes in blood sugar levels. While the fibre content in beetroot benefits the digestion of carbohydrates, the nitrate content improves insulin sensitivity. However, it is still necessary to mind moderation, which is key to making the best use of beetroot nutrition.

How to Make Beetroot Juice: A Refreshing Booster

Not sure how to make beetroot juice? For starters, this amazing punch is one of the simplest and most effective ways to enjoy beetroot benefits. You can prepare it in just a few minutes at home. Now, let’s begin with the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 large beetroot, peeled and chopped
• 1 apple or carrot (for sweetness)
• Water: Alternatively, coconut water

How to make beetroot juice:

• Prepare the ingredients.
• Add beetroot, apple or/and carrot to the blender; blend until smooth. 
• Add water (or coconut water) and blend again.
• For smoother juice, strain the blended mix through fine mesh or cheesecloth.
• Enjoy your glass of ‘glow’ chilled.

You can squeeze some lemon or add a few mint leaves to your juice for an added zest.

Beetroot Recipes: Easy and Quick Ideas for You

Want to unlock beetroot benefits without saying yes to the same old salad platter? The good news is beetroot versatility opens the door for you to enjoy its benefits in the manifold. Here are some quick beetroot recipes for you to try the next time:

Beetroot Hummus

Love hummus? Twist it—vibrant and healthy—by adding boiled beetroot. Here’s how:

• Add boiled beetroot, garlic, garlic, and tahini to the blender.
• Blend until smooth.
• For a tangy flavour, squeeze some lemon.

There you have it–a pink hummus that’s just perfect for dipping pita bread (and maximising beetroot nutrition).

Beetroot Smoothie

One of the awesome beetroot recipes has to be this one. Give yourself a refresher with nutrient-packed beetroot smoothies first thing in the morning. Here is how to prepare one:

• Add chopped beetroot, berries, and banana to the blender.
• Pour some milk into the blender.
• Blend until smooth.

Enjoy a glass full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals for breakfast. You can also try this beetroot recipe as a post-workout snack.

Roasted Beetroot Salad

Roasting beetroot is one of the best ways to enjoy its natural sweetness and earthy flavour. Besides, it’s easy to make a salad out of one. All you have to do is:

• Roast one beetroot and chop it into pieces.
• Mix it with toasted walnuts, feta cheese, and peppery arugula.
• Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.

And that’s it—you have a delicious and nutritious side to your dinner meal ready.

>>Read More: Natural Remedies to Reduce Uric Acid Levels for a Healthy Lifestyle

The Final Word

Beetroot benefits are the ultimate way to take your health to the next level. From your heart to your brain—beetroot nutrition plays out to be healthy in many ways. While these perks and recipes are just magical, you must check up on factors, like overconsumption and allergic reactions, to enjoy this veggie—instead of fretting over it later. In case of any medical emergency, know that a comprehensive plan like care health insurance will be just as excellent a friend for you as beetroot is for your health.

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.