Not only is beetroot great for boosting stamina and
making muscles work harder, it also contains potassium, magnesium and
iron as well as vitamins A, B6 and C, and folic acid. Beets also contain
carbohydrates, protein, powerful antioxidants and soluble fibre. What’s
more, just three baby beetroot equal one of your recommended five
portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
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Read on to find out more about how ruby red beets can help you maintain
a healthy lifestyle...
Reduces blood pressure and the risk of heart
attacks and strokes
Research has shown that beetroot can help reduce blood pressure as well
as its associated risks such as heart attacks and strokes. This is
because the high content of nitrates in beetroot produce a gas called
nitric oxide in the blood which widens blood vessels and lowers blood
pressure. A daily dose of 250ml of beetroot juice or 1 to 2 cooked
beetroot (approx. 100g) can help dramatically reduce blood pressure and
its associated risks. For more information on heart health, help, facts
and lifestyle advice, visit the British Heart Foundation.
Powerful antioxidant properties
Betacyanin, the pigment that gives beetroot its colour, is also an
antioxidant. Antioxidants are believed to help reduce the oxidation of
LDL cholesterol, in turn protecting artery walls and reducing the risk
of heart disease and stroke.
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Folic acid
Beetroot contains folic acid which is essential for normal tissue
growth. Folic acid is crucial to the development of a baby’s spinal cord
during the first three months of pregnancy and can help prevent spinal
cord defects such as spina bifida. Beetroot also contains iron so is a
fab pick-me-up for mums-to-be suffering from fatigue during pregnancy.
Expectant mums must remember though that cooked beetroot has lower
levels of folic acid than raw beetroot. For more information on the
importance of folic acid during pregnancy, visit the NHS website. For
more information on foods containing folic acid see Bounty’s Folic Acid
Factfile.
Reduces risk of osteoporosis
Beetroot contains the mineral silica. This helps the body to utilise
calcium, which is important for musculo-skeletal health and reducing the
risk of osteoporosis.
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Lowers cholesterol
Beetroot contains soluble fibre, which has also been shown to have
cholesterol lowering capabilities. It also contains carotenoids and
flavonoids, which help prevent LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol from being
oxidised and deposited in the arteries.
Stabilises blood sugar
Beetroot is virtually fat free and low in calories. Although it has a
'medium' GI (Glycaemic Index) of 64, It has an extremely low GL (Glycaemic
Load) of 2.9 which means it’s converted into sugars very slowly and
therefore helps to keep blood sugar levels stable.
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Treats anaemia and fatigue
Beetroot’s iron content means it’s good for those with anaemia and
fatigue.
Helps slow progression of dementia
A recent study by Wake Forest University in North Carolina, USA has
shown that the high content of nitrates in beetroot may also help fight
the progression of dementia, as nitric oxide in the blood (produced by
the nitrates in beetroot) also helps increase blood flow to the brain.
Beetroot’s folic acid may also play a part as studies suggest it can
help protect against Alzheimer’s and dementia. |