You’ve probably already heard about beets, that scarlet vegetable with an exquisite smell that can make our mouth water. Beetroot is a true gift from nature, because it is a food that provides great health benefits; however, around this vegetable there are many myths, so in this article I am going to clarify certain points regarding the benefits of including beet to your daily intake. Let us begin.
Beet favors overweight
Many people claim that beets provide a high caloric value due to their sugar content, so eating beets regularly promotes weight gain. In this respect, I must clarify that this is a completely false myth: although beet sugar constitutes 7% of the vegetable, for a food to have a high caloric density it also needs to be rich in fats and proteins.
It is estimated that every 100 grams of beet contain 2.1 grams of protein, 10.9 grams of carbohydrates and almost no fat, so nutritionists estimate that the caloric value of this vegetable is 31 kcal per 100 grams, ie similar to food such as the pumpkin of Castile, Cambray onion or carrot; in fact, one of the benefits of beet is weight loss, as it is rich in fiber and low in calories.
People with diabetes should not eat beets
This myth is based on comparing common beet with sugar beet. The common beet has only 7 grams of sugar per 100 grams of this vegetable, and it is the one we consume in juices or salads, so this myth is also false; in fact, the soluble fiber of the beet maintains balanced levels of sugar and cholesterol in the blood, so it is beneficial for people with diabetes.
Improves stamina
True: several studies have shown that beet is a rich source of nitrates, which improve muscle performance in elite athletes by promoting vasodilation.
Beet damages tooth enamel
Some people believe that consuming beets causes staining of teeth and subsequent loss of shine; however, this is not true. Beet contains a pigment called betanine, but it is not harmful to the body, just brush your teeth after eating beets and the red color disappears.
Beet leaves are not eaten
False: another benefit of beets is that they have edible leaves, which open up countless culinary possibilities: they can be prepared in salads, steamed, pesto or sautéed. Regardless of how you cook them, I know you’ll love them; in addition, beet leaves contain large amounts of vitamins A, B and C, as well as folic acid, phosphorus, zinc and magnesium, among other nutrients.
Beets cause constipation
Since ancient times, especially in the Middle Ages, beets were used as a remedy for digestive disorders, including constipation. Beet is a rich source of fiber and antioxidants, which help cleanse the body of toxic substances, maintaining optimal digestive health; therefore, it is a false approach.
Rich source of vitamins and minerals
True: this vegetable is an excellent source of folic acid, potassium, magnesium, vitamins A, E, K, C, B1, B2, B3 and B6, iron, phosphorus, calcium, sodium and zinc.
People prone to kidney stones should avoid eating beets
Beets have a high content of oxalates, substances capable of combining with other minerals, such as calcium, preventing their assimilation. A high intake of oxalates is related to a higher probability of suffering kidney stones in people prone to develop them.
Good for memory
True: among the benefits of beets is their contribution to brain functions, as they help increase the brain’s blood flow, accelerating its processes to increase its responsiveness.
Pregnant women should not eat beets
This is totally untrue. Beets are good for pregnant women, as they are a source of folate and vitamin B, which prevent malformations in babies.
As you can see, beets are a world of taste and benefits, and can be consumed in different forms. If you’re a busy person and don’t have time to get beets and less time to prepare a recipe with them but want to take advantage of all the benefits they offer, you can opt for Reïva beet-based supplements.
Reïva supplements are 100% organic and take advantage of all the benefits of beet. If you want to know more about the products that Reïva has for you, access the website reiva.ca/en and do not hesitate to buy the one that suits you best.
Get health and nutrition only with Reïva.
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