Beets. What is all that fuzz about beets?!

Let’s take a close look at the reasons and science why beets are considered one of the best vegetables (between many, I should say ;)) nowadays. Every single restaurant that targets the healthy-minded, vegetable and fruits bats, athletes and weekend warriors, yoga gods and goddesses; is serving this delightful sweets and deliciously deep purple-red veggie.

In many holistic, integrative, and Easter traditions, beets are believed to be an excellent liver tonic and blood purifier. They are a staple of the juicing crowd like me for a very good reason; they make a delicious juice, but have a strong flavor and are usually best mixed with some combination of carrots, apples, spinach and ginger.

Here my favorite Beets juice:

2 beets

2 carrots

1/2 apple

1/4 lemon, peeled

Juice beets, carrots, apple, ginger and lemon. Stir. YUM! makes 2 servings of course. Sharing is caring!!!!!!

You need more reasons and scientific fact? Ok, here we go:

Although beets have the highest sugar content of all vegetables, most people can safely eat beet roots a few times a week (and their greens in unlimited quantities), enjoying not only their sweet, earthy flavor but also their powerhouse nutrients that may improve your health in the following ways.

1. Lower Your Blood Pressure

Drinking beet juice may help to lower blood pressure in a matter of hours.

The benefit likely comes from the naturally occurring nitrates in beets, which are converted into nitric oxide in your body. Nitric oxide, in turn, helps to relax and dilate your blood vessels, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure.

2. Boost Your Stamina

If you need a boost to make it through your next workout, beet juice may again prove valuable. Those who drank beet juice prior to exercise were able to exercise for up to 16 percent longer. The benefit is thought to also be related to nitrates turning into nitric oxide, which may reduce the oxygen cost of low-intensity exercise as well as enhance tolerance to high-intensity exercise.

3. Fight Inflammation

Beets are a unique source of betaine, a nutrient that helps protects cells, proteins, and enzymes from environmental stress. It’s also known to help fight inflammation, protect internal organs, improve vascular risk factors, enhance performance, and likely help prevent numerous chronic diseases.

4. Rich in Valuable Nutrients and Fiber

Beets are high in immune-boosting vitamin C, fiber, and essential minerals like potassium (essential for healthy nerve and muscle function) and manganese (which is good for your bones, liver, kidneys, and pancreas). Beets also contain the B vitamin folate, which helps reduce the risk of birth defects.

6. Detoxification Support

Traditionally, beets are valued for their support in detoxification and helping to purify your blood and your liver as I mention above.

 

Oh! Well, I hope I could help you a bit. I am going to go and eat my beets salad right now. All this food talking made me hungry!

Natalia

http://www.thrive-massage.com

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Recipe of my beets salad:

For the salad:

1 big organic chopped boiled beet

1 organic chopped apple (sweet type)

1/2 cup of organic walnuts

2 cups of organic chopped kale

Mix all ingredients in a salad bowl and drizzle with one teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil, three teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and salt to taste. Enjoy!