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Amazing health benefits of the super vegetable beetroot
Story by Jamila Yunusa Suleiman.
Beetroot is a round looking vibrantly red root vegetable. However it’s exciting to know that, beetroots are not just red but could also be golden. It has an earthy aroma which sweetens up after cooking emitting an earthy syrupy aroma. It’s attractive colour makes it easily identified while serving different functions in the kitchen.
Overtime, people have incorporated beetroot in to their meals by using them for salads, food additives, juice, soups, food colouring, smoothies. With every part of beetroot being nutritional, the leaves are being consumed for nutritional benefits.
It is believed that beetroot emanated along the shores of the Mediterranean. However, in cooler seasons in the warm areas of South Africa, this root vegetables are cultivated.
Beetroot has a wide range of nutritional benefits, which are as follows;
1. Strengthening the bones: Beetroot contains copper and folate which are minerals responsible for stronger growth of the bones. Thus, consuming beetroot increases strength in bones which means more energy to carry out physical activities.
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2. Rich nitrate content: Due to its high content of nitrate, beetroot can reduce high blood pressure by boosting the body’s level of nitric oxide which tells the blood vessels to expand, lowering blood pressure and increase in the flow of blood.
3. Enhancing endurance: studies have shown that dietary nitrates enhance physical endurance by improving the efficiency of mitochondria, which are responsible for producing energy. These dietary nitrates are found in beetroot.
4. Good source of fiber: Beetroots are good sources of fiber which aids digestion. Therefore promoting the digestive health by preventing constipation and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBM).
5. Boosting brain health: The nitrates in beetroot enhances brain function. The nitrates promote dilation of blood vessels and thereby increasing blood flow to the brain.
6. Lowers glucose level: This super vegetable contains an antioxidant called alpha-lipoic acid. Alpha lipoic acid may help lower glucose and increase insulin sensitivity. Its ability to kill free radicals may protect people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy from nerve damage.
7. Prevents anaemia: Consumption of beetroot helps to prevent anemia because it contains iron and folic acid which helps in the production of red blood cells.
8. Detoxification: The betalains content of beetroot aids in purifying the blood, liver, skin. It could be consumed as a natural detox the body and therefore boosting the immune system.
Including beetroot to your dietary plan is just a perfect way of boosting the immune system by detoxifying. However, consumption most be done moderately to avoid side effects due to excessive consumption. Side effects such as, pink or red stool or urine, digestive discomfort, allergic reaction in people with food allergy symptoms.
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