5 Benefits Of Beetroot.

Beetroot is one of the brightest vegetables not only in terms of color but also, it is power-packed with essential nutrients, fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. What are the benefits of beetroot lets check it out.

The beautiful dark-colored root vegetable, Beetroot is gradually gaining popularity as a superfood and is known for its ability to improve athletic performance. But not just this, there are many other benefits of beetroot. Its scientific name is Beta Vulgaris and can be eaten both raw in the form of salads or cooked in the form of a vegetable, as well as in the pickled form. Let us have a look at some more benefits of beetroot and how nutritious it is.

Nutrients

Beetroot is packed with many essential nutrients such as vitamin B6, vitamin C, calcium, iron, fiber, manganese, potassium, etc. It is low in calories and has up to 88% of water content. It also contains inorganic nitrates and pigments like betanin and vulgaxanthin.

1. Regulates Blood Pressure
   High blood pressure can lead to certain heart issues such as strokes, heart attacks, etc. Some studies have shown that the consumption of beetroot can help deal with this situation. It helps in lowering the blood pressure with the help of nitrates present in it, hence preventing the possible chances of suffering from cardiac diseases.
2. Athletic Performance
   Many studies have shown that the consumption of beetroot juice helps in improving the athletic performance of a person. It means that it increases the stamina of a person and improves oxygen use. Apart from this, it also helps in relieving sore muscles after workout sessions.
3. Digestive Health
   Beetroot contains fiber, the main component which is known to keep the gut healthy. Therefore, it helps in improving digestion, relieves problems like constipation, and prevents other digestive conditions.
4. Anti-cancer Properties
   Limited evidence has shown that beetroot consumption can prevent one from certain types of cancer. The pigments in it may help in reducing the growth of cancerous cells in the body. However, the research was limited to isolated human cells and rats and more evidence is required regarding the same.
5. Powerful Antioxidant
   Beetroot is rich in antioxidants, which help in fighting against the free radical damage in the body, relieving oxidative stress. Researches have also shown that it helps in suppressing inflammation well as it can also provide significant relief from osteoarthritis pain.

Apart from this, being rich in iron and folic acid, beetroot is known to help in the prevention of anemia. It enhances the formation of the red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen to the different parts of our body. It also maintains brain health by improving cognitive function, which is likely to decline with age, by increasing the blood flow in the brain and may possibly decrease the risk of dementia. It also aids weight loss and can be beneficial for diabetics as well.

For consumption, you can consume beetroot in the form of soups, salad, juice, pickles, prepare vegetables using beetroot or even its leaves and eat it with chapati. You can also add it to dips. Although beetroot may not have many side effects its overconsumption must be avoided by people suffering from kidney diseases, as it can further worsen the condition. If you have any pre-existing conditions, which you think can worsen with its consumption, consult your doctor or dietitian to know more about this colorful vegetable.