Beetroot is a sweet root vegetable that people either love or hate! Some love the earthy taste, and others think it tastes like dirt. No matter what you think about the taste, we can all agree that beetroot is so healthy for your body! Let’s look at all beets benefits and side effects.
Beets Benefits and Side Effects
May Relieve Muscle Soreness
Some new studies show that drinking beet juice after a workout can help reduce muscle soreness and speed up recovery. More studies need to be done to conclude, but early research seems promising.
Helps Some Lower Blood Pressure
Beets contain nitrates, which the body uses to turn into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator that opens up the blood vessels to allow increased blood flow and circulation in your body. That increased blood flow takes the pressure off your arterial walls and lowers blood pressure.
Beetroot juice lowers blood pressure for most people, but for some, it does not affect them. Always talk with your doctor before starting a new treatment for high blood pressure.
Improves Athletic Performance
Like explained before, beets open up the blood vessels for increased blood flow. That increased blood flow allows oxygen to get to various parts of your body quickly so that you can endure longer during exercise.
Helps Weight Loss
Beets are a superfood! They are packed with so many beneficial nutrients and provide very few calories. Beets are chock full of vitamin C, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and copper. If you start your day with beets or beetroot juice, you’ll get a boost of energy and essential nutrients with few calories.
Beets Side Effects
Low Blood Pressure
Beets lower your blood pressure, so if you have low blood pressure already, beets might reduce it to a dangerously low level. Always talk to your doctor if you decide to start eating large amounts of beets or beet supplements.
Kidney Stones
If you have had kidney stones before, don’t drink beet juice. Beets are high in oxalates, which are substances that form crystals in your urine. Make sure that you talk to your doctor before eating beets if you have kidney stones!
Beeturia
Beets cause a harmless yet startling condition in which the urine and stools turn pinkish or red. If you experience this, you don’t need to worry.
Precautions and warnings
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Studies haven’t been done yet to determine whether eating beets in large quantities is safe for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
HeartBeet Complete
HeartBeet Complete is a beetroot powder supplement that provides you with all the nutrition of beets in a portable stick pack.
