There are several nutrients in beetroot, which is what makes the vegetable a great superfood. Learn how these nutrients benefit your health.
Beets are full of key nutrients such as fiber, folate, iron, manganese, potassium, and vitamin C. These nutrients are the reason why beetroot can provide several health benefits including healthy circulation, blood pressure, and energy levels.
Moreover, due to its rich content of inorganic nitrates, beets can be very helpful for people dealing with high blood pressure (hypertension).
There is a variety of beets (red, garden, table, etc.) and they come in all shapes and sizes. The following information explores the nutrients available in beets – no matter the type.
Nutrients in Beetroot
There are three main components in beets: water, carbs, and fiber. Water makes up 87%, followed by carbs (85%) and fiber (between 2% and 3%). Furthermore, there are less than 60 calories in a cup of boiled beets.
As for raw beets, 3/4 of a cup contains 43 calories, 88% water, 1.6 grams of protein, 9.6 grams of carbs, 6.8 grams of sugar, 2.8 grams of fiber, and 0.2 grams of fat. Carbs and fiber are two of the most important nutrients in beets.
Whether you cook them or eat them raw, beets contain between 8% and 10% carbs. In turn, 70%-80% of these carbs are made up of simple sugars like glucose and fructose.
Beets contain fructans (also known as FODMAPs), which may cause digestive issues in certain people (like those with IBS).
They also have a medium glycemic index score of 61, which measures how fast blood sugar levels rise after eating a meal. In contrast, beetroots have a very low glycemic load score of 5, which means that they shouldn’t have a major effect on blood sugar levels.
One of the great things about beets is that they are rich in fiber, a nutrient that is essential for a healthy diet. They contain between 2 and 3 grams of fiber per 3/4 cup of raw beet.
Vitamins and Minerals in Beets
In addition to the previously mentioned nutrients, beets contain several vitamins and minerals that provide health benefits. These include folate, iron, manganese, potassium, and vitamin C.
Folate (or vitamin B9) is essential for normal cell function and tissue growth, which makes it necessary for pregnant women. In addition to serving various important functions in the body, iron is a key mineral for transporting oxygen in red blood cells.
Manganese is a trace element that is available in legumes, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Beets also contain potassium, which can help promote heart health and reduce blood pressure levels.
Lastly, vitamin C can help with skin health and the immune system due to its antioxidant properties.
Benefits of Beetroot
Due to its highly nutritious content, beets can provide a variety of health benefits. These include lower blood pressure and higher energy levels.
Since beets have a high amount of inorganic nitrates, they can help improve circulation. The nitrates in beets convert into nitric oxide inside the body, a molecule that helps blood vessels relax and dilate.
Moreover, these same nitrates can reduce the amount of oxygen the body uses during physical activity. In other words, if you consume beets on a regular basis, you may be able to enhance your workouts.
How to Get Beet Benefits
The best way to get the aforementioned benefits is to eat beets on a regular basis. Unfortunately, the likelihood of someone eating beets daily is low, whether it’s due to dietary restrictions or something as simple as taste.
On the bright side, you can still get the same benefits from beets if you use beet supplements. One of the best beet powder supplements available is HeartBeet Complete.
It contains 1,000mg of beetroot powder per serving, along with other powerful ingredients like l-arginine, turmeric, CoQ10, and more. In other words, HeartBeet Complete provides everything you can get from a whole beet and a whole lot more.
The supplement is available in an easy to mix powder form and comes in a cherry flavor. If you want to experience the benefits of beets on the daily without having to eat a bunch of them, try HeartBeet Complete.
