Top Beetroot Benefits for Health: Why You Should Add Beetroot to Your Diet

What Is Beetroot (Chukandar)?

Beetroot or Beta vulgaris L. is a popular vegetable for its medicinal properties and juice value. It is a bright crimson colour vegetable. The bright red colour of beetroot is due to the red pigments known as betalains. It is a root vegetable and is also known by common names like beet, chard, sea beet, spinach beet, garden beet, white beet and Chukander. This vegetable is high in vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and C. It is also a good source of calcium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, sodium and iron. 

Beetroot is one of the richest sources of folate. It contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and C. It is also a good source of calcium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, sodium and iron. It is good for heart, brain, liver, blood pressure, diabetes, and lipids. It is also known to boost energy levels and improve stamina. Know more about this vegetable, its nutritional profile, uses, benefits of eating beetroot and much more.

Beetroot (Chukandar) Nutritional Value per 100 gm

Beetroots are a good source of folic acid and vitamin C. It also contains small amounts of vitamins B1, B2, B3, and vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene.  It is also rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium. It also contains smaller amounts of iron, copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium. It contains a lot of antioxidants, vitamins (A, B, C), and fibre. Here’s the beetroot nutritional value in 100 gm. 

Properties of Beetroot

Beetroots are rich in other valuable compounds such as nitrates, Vitamin C, carotenoids, glycine betaine, saponins, betacyanins, folates, betanin, polyphenols and flavonoids. These components make it a superfood with multiple properties. The potential properties of beetroot are:

• Antioxidant activity: Beetroots contain compounds called betalains, polyphenols, and phenolics that combat damaging free radicals in our tissues, protecting cells from premature ageing and disease.
• Antitumor activity: Ongoing research indicates that betalains in beetroots may prevent tumour growth.
• Improving cognitive function: Beetroot supplementation may enhance blood flow to the brain and boost mental sharpness over the long run.
• Antihypertensive activity: Nitrates in beetroots act to relax and widen blood vessels, lowering the workload of the heart and reducing high blood pressure over time if consumed regularly.
• Lipid-lowering activity: Beetroot contains fibre, plant sterols, and betalains, which help eliminate cholesterol from the body, which in turn helps lower harmful LDL levels.
• Antidiabetic activity: Rich in fibre and plant compounds, eating beetroot may aid blood sugar control through slower carb digestion and reduce insulin resistance in tissues like muscle.
• Boosting performance activity: Nitrates boost nitric oxide levels, increasing blood flow and stamina during exercise by dilating vessels and transporting oxygen more efficiently to working muscles.
• Anti-inflammatory activity: Betalains are antioxidants that suppress inflammation at the cellular level by neutralising free radicals.
• Anti-microbial activity: Betalains and other plant compounds in beetroot have been shown to directly inhibit or kill pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, that can cause infections.
• Hepato-protective activity: Beetroot contains special phenolic compounds that may aid liver function and curb damage from toxins, fat accumulation and oxidative stress on hepatic cells over the long term.
• Diuretic activity: Beetroot water and fibre content promote frequent urination, helping flush sodium and fluid buildup from the body to avoid water retention and reduce the strain on the heart.

Beetroot (Chukandar) Benefits for Overall Health

Beetroots are an excellent choice for heart and brain health. Beetroots are high in nitrates, which help improve blood flow. Better blood flow means more oxygen and nutrients are supplied to your heart and brain, keeping them healthy and functioning well.The nitrates in beetroot convert to nitric oxide in your body, which helps relax and widen blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and reducing strain on your heart. The improved blood flow from nitrates also enhances brain function, including better memory and cognitive abilities. Here are the top 14 beetroot benefits.

1. Beetroot benefits include lowering pressure and boosting blood flow: Beets can lower blood pressure and enhance circulation, benefiting the heart and body organs.
2. Beetroot benefits for reducing tumour risks: Beets include substances that battle cancer cells, potentially decreasing tumour development.
3. Beetroot benefits for reducing obesity risks: Consuming beets can assist weight management as they are low in calories yet full of nutrients, curtailing obesity.
4. Beetroot benefits for lessening heart disease risk: The nutrients in beets may keep the heart sound by reducing pressure and cholesterol.
5. Beetroot benefits for diabetes: Beets can help control blood sugar, reducing diabetes risk.
6. Beetroot juice benefits for lustrous hair: The vitamins and minerals in beets strengthen and beautify hair.
7. Beetroot juice benefits for boosting energy: Beets can bolster stamina and energy, instilling liveliness and lessening stress and fatigue.
8. Beetroot benefits for preventing constipation: Beets are high in fibre, which helps maintain regularity and digestive health.
9. Beetroot benefits for boosting brain performance: Beets enhance circulation to the brain and promote glutathione creation, protecting and preventing certain cancers.
10. Beetroot juice benefits for detoxifying the liver: Beets cleanse and safeguard the liver, advancing its detoxifying abilities.
11. Beetroot benefits for reducing the risk of specific cancers: The antioxidants in beets may reduce some cancers.
12. Beetroot benefits for boosting heart health: Beets improve flow and decrease factors contributing to heart disease.
13. Beetroot benefits for weight reduction: Beets are low in calories yet high in fibre, making them great for weight loss and maintenance.
14. Beetroot benefits for pregnancy: Beetroot can reduce morning sickness or nausea during early pregnancy. Additionally, beets contain folic acid, which aids in fetal brain development and reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
15. Beetroot for skin: Using beetroot for a face mask can be a natural and effective way to improve your skin.

How to Use Beetroot (Chukandar)

Beetroot is eaten boiled either as a cooked vegetable, as a salad after cooking and adding oil and vinegar, or raw and shredded, either alone or combined with any salad vegetable. Here are the common uses of beetroot.

• Salads
• Smoothies
• Chutneys
• Juice
• Roti/paratha
• Rice
• Idli

How to Prepare Beetroot Juice

To prepare beetroot juice, follow these simple steps:

1. Thoroughly wash the beetroots and any other fruits or vegetables you’re using. Peel the beetroots and other ingredients if desired.
2. Chop the beetroots, apple or carrot, and ginger into small pieces to make blending easier.
3. Place the chopped beetroot and other ingredients into a blender. Add a small amount of water to help with blending.
4. Blend the mixture until it becomes smooth. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender a few more times.
5. If you prefer a smoother juice, pour the blended mixture through a strainer to remove the pulp. Press the pulp with a spoon to extract as much juice as possible.
6. Squeeze half a lemon into the juice for added flavour and a boost of vitamin C.
7. Pour the beetroot juice into a glass and serve immediately. You can add ice cubes if you like your juice cold.

Chukandar Juice Benefits

Beetroot juice is packed with antioxidants and nitrates, which offer many health benefits, making it a healthy drink. It’s gaining popularity, especially in sports drinks, due to its active ingredient, inorganic nitrate (NO3). Here’s how juice of chukandar benefits you:

• Nitrates help regulate blood pressure and enhance vasodilation, improving blood flow throughout the body.
• Drinking beetroot juice can improve exercise tolerance by enhancing vascular control and increasing oxygen delivery to muscles.
• Beetroot juice benefits the skin, and mixing a bit of vinegar with beet juice can help clear dandruff and soothe sores and ulcers.
• Beetroot juice helps purify the blood and is known as a great blood builder. Rich in iron, it regenerates red blood cells and delivers fresh oxygen to the body.
• By improving oxygenation to the brain, beetroot juice can slow the progression of dementia in older adults.

Side Effects of Beetroot (Chukandar)

While beetroot is highly nutritious and offers many health benefits. It can show some side effects if consumed in excess. Consuming too much beetroot can cause your urine and stool to turn pink or red. This condition, known as beeturia, is harmless but can be surprising if you’re not expecting it. Over consuming beetroot in routine can also cause kidney stones. Beetroot is high in oxalates, which can contribute to the formation of kidney stones.

Who Should Avoid Beetroot?

Beetroot is generally healthy, but low-BP patients should exercise caution or avoid it. It may further lower BP. If you are prone to hypotension, you should monitor your blood pressure closely.

Precautions to Take with Beetroot

Follow these precautions for the safe consumption of Beetroots:

• Drink in moderation: Beetroot juice can easily increase your nitrate intake beyond safe levels. This can lead to the formation of N-nitroso compounds (NOCs) in your body, which may have harmful effects.
• Medications: If you are on a medication regimen, consult your doctor, especially if you are taking medicines for blood pressure.

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