NEW DELHI: Here are some amazing health benefits of beetroot.
Rich in protective antioxidants: Red beetroots have been ranked as one of the 10 most potent antioxidant vegetables. This means they help the body combat the damaging effects of a process called oxidation. The plant compounds responsible for the root’s purple-crimson colour, anthocyanins, have been shown to have high anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities.
May have anti-cancer properties: Betacyanin, the powerful plant pigment that gives beetroot its rich colour, is also thought to help suppress the development of some types of cancer, including bladder cancer. Beetroot contains other potential cancer-fighting compounds including ferric acid, ruin and kaempferol.
May have anti-inflammatory properties: Some research suggests that betalains, the family of natural colour pigments that betacyanin belongs to, may help reduce the symptoms and markers of inflammation. This includes potentially relieving discomfort of inflamed joints, such as knees.
May lower blood pressure: Beetroot is naturally rich in compounds called nitrates, and it’s these that make beetroot so heart-friendly. This is because nitrates help to improve blood flow by relaxing the blood vessels, which potentially lowers blood pressure. Reduced blood pressure makes it more likely you’ll avoid heart disease and stroke. Studies suggest that nitrate-rich foods, like beetroot, may also help in heart attack survival.
May improve digestive health: Beetroots are rich in fibre which, as well as supporting bowel function, helps promote a healthy environment in the gut. Alongside the fibre, betawains help increase the production of short chain fatty acids by the beneficial bacteria that reside in the gut. These SCFAs are linked with a number of positive effects on health.
May protect the gut: Beetroots are one of the richest vegetable sources of glutamine, an amino acid essential to the maintenance of our gut lining. It is thought that glutamine may play a role in protecting the gut lining from injury and stress.
May support brain health and reaction time: Any improvement in blood flow will also benefit the brain. Studies suggest that the inclusion of beetroot in the diet, combined with exercise, may improve blood flow to the frontal lobe of the brain - an area involved in decision making and memory. Further studies also suggest that a higher nitrate intake appears to lead to a significant improvement in motor functions, including reaction time.
May be a useful addition to a post-menopause diet
After the menopause, blood pressure and heart disease risk increase. Dietary changes such as the inclusion of nitrate-rich vegetables appear to be a useful strategy to help keep arteries flexible and in turn manage blood pressure.
Drinking beetroot juice before exercise may also help improve mobility and cardio-metabolic outcomes in this age group. All of which suggests beetroot may have be a useful inclusion as part of a varied, balanced diet for post-menopausal women. (Agencies)
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