Beetroot: A Nutritional Powerhouse for Vascular Health and More Beetroot, a staple of any vibrant and hearty diet, contains a wealth of health properties besides being low in calories. Recent studies have found beetroot to help with vascular health, increase workout performance, and improve libido. Let’s take a closer look at why this humble vegetable is so healthy. Here’s a vibrant Beetroot Humus recipe that will make you reconsider the ways beetroot can enter your diet.
The reason beetroot is so healthy is because it is full of dietary nitrates. Nitrates have been proven to drastically reduce blood pressure and improve vascular health, which is why beetroot is so popular with health enthusiasts. Multiple studies have shown that beetroot and beetroot juice can be used for lowering blood pressure.
Not only beetroot is good for the vascular system and the heart, it can also increase performance during workouts. This is due to the same nitrates that thin the blood vessels – they increase blood flow to the muscles, allowing for more energy to be produced and used. Many serious bodybuilders drink beetroot juice in order to get this extra boost.
From a nutritional standpoint, beetroot is also very healthy. An 80 g serving of beetroot provides 44% of the daily folate requirement. Folate is essential in conception and during pregnancy, and is very important for everyone’s health. In addition, beetroot also provides 13% of the daily requirement of manganese, which plays a role in the body’s metabolic processes and the building of bones.
Betalains are another thing that makes beetroot special – they are antioxidants that are responsible for the vegetable’s color. Antioxidants help the body get rid of toxins and prevent disease. Beetroot is especially good for reducing inflammation in the body.
Even though it has not been proven yet, beetroot may also have positive effects on libido. This is due to beetroot’s vasodilating properties, which cause blood pressure to drop. Increased blood flow not only gives you a much-needed boost of energy, it also increases sensibility in the genital area, which may cause an increase in libido.
If you want to start using beetroot in your daily diet, you are in luck – this vegetable is extremely versatile in cooking. It can be baked, juiced, shredded into salads or served raw with some parmesan cheese on top. It has a slightly sweet aftertaste that pairs very well with sour foods such as oranges or nuts.
It is important to note that beetroot is also high in oxalic acid, so it is not advised for people with kidney problems to consume it in large amounts. Large amounts of oxalic acid can lead to kidney stone formation.
In conclusion, beetroot can be very beneficial to one’s health if used correctly. Dietary nitrates in beetroot reduce blood pressure and improve vascular health, while providing the body with needed folate and manganese. Additionally, beetroot can improve performance during physical activity, and may positively affect libido. Now that you know why beetroot is so healthy, add it to your diet and improve your health!