Dorothy FarrarRotate Bete
For a long time , the winter vegetable beetroot was mainly used as a salad. Now that it has been determined which special ingredients characterize this vegetable, it now belongs to the so-called superfood.
Here’s what you should know about beetroot
It is believed that beetroot originally came from North Africa. The turnip belongs to the foxtail family. It may have evolved from a wild turnip. The juicy flesh is encased in a thin skin. The beautiful, dark red color was created through breeding.
After sowing, in the first year only a small subterranean part with a rosette of leaves develops, from which leaves and turnips develop the next year. These leaves are also edible, but taste slightly bitter. You usually buy beets in the supermarket, but you can also find them in some vegetable gardens.
The main component of the beet is water, the dietary fiber content is three percent and the carbohydrates are also present at a very low level of eight percent. Vitamins A, B, C and folic acid are ingested with a meal of beetroot. Vegetable dyes and fiber are also included.
Athletes appreciate the blood circulation-promoting effect because it increases endurance. The muscles are better supplied with oxygen, which means that muscle building takes place more quickly and sustainably. The high fiber content slows down the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose , causing blood sugar levels to rise slowly.
The fiber binds toxins and harmful cholesterol, which is then excreted in the stool. The color pigments and vitamin C help to detoxify the body, have an anti-inflammatory effect, strengthen the immune system and can even protect against some types of cancer.
importance to health
Iron is present in particularly high concentrations in beetroot. Iron stimulates the formation of red blood cells. Folic acid is particularly important for pregnant women and for the development of the child. Silicic acid is important for beauty, it tightens the skin , protects teeth and promotes hair growth.
The body needs provitamin A for healthy skin and intact mucous membranes, among other things. Potassium promotes metabolism. Another important active ingredient in beetroot are the natural nitrates, which have positive effects in the body, which distinguishes them from the synthetically produced nitrates. The body can use them to form nitric oxide, which is found in the blood and lymphatic vessels .
Nitric oxide relaxes smooth muscle as it dilates the arteries . This results in better blood circulation and a reduction in blood pressure. It also reduces the risk of heart disease. Nitric oxide can also prevent blood platelets from clumping together. Life-threatening thrombosis can thus be avoided.
Ingredients & nutritional values
| Calories and nutrients (per 100g) | ||
| kilocalories/kilojoules | 32 kcal/ 135 kj | |
| protein | 1,43 g | |
| carbohydrates | 6,11 g | |
| Fett | 0,09 g | |
| Water | 88,88 g | |
| fiber | 2,42 g | |
| beta-carotene | 9 µg | |
| Vitamin E | 49 µg | |
intolerances
People with a tendency to form kidney stones should avoid eating the otherwise healthy vegetables because of the high concentration of oxalates. People who suffer from Crohn’s disease should also avoid eating beetroot.
A small proportion of people, around 15 percent, may experience red-colored urine after consuming large amounts of beetroot. This reaction is completely harmless to health. One should know about it so that one does not assume that there is blood in the urine and the horror would be great. When consuming a normal amount of beetroot, it is well tolerated and there are no problems.
Shopping and kitchen tips
When purchasing, care should be taken to ensure that the beets are not damaged. If possible, preference should be given to organic quality in order to really do something for your health and not to buy residues of fertilizers and pesticides.
Small or medium-sized fruits with a smooth and brightly colored skin are best. They have a more intense taste. If you don’t use them right away, cut off the greens, but keep them in the fridge separately from the beets for later use. The shelf life is extended by up to four days. Beets can be stored in the vegetable drawer for about two weeks.
preparation tips
These vegetables make a wonderful, refreshing salad that, with the addition of horseradish , is an aromatic delight. In order to supply the body with the vital substances in the best possible concentration, the use of raw beets is a good idea. However, in order to get as much of the antioxidant dyes as possible, the tubers should be cooked for a maximum of 15 minutes.
Before cooking, the beets are carefully washed so that the peel is not damaged. During the cooking process, much of the coloring would then run out into the cooking water. The shell is removed only after cooking. The leaves should only be used when cooked. Working with gloves is recommended to prevent red hands. But if your hands are stained, cleaning with lemon juice will help .
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.