Beet juice: benefits and harms. Beet juice: useful properties and contraindications

Beetroot is a very useful vegetable for human health, and beetroot juice concentrates most of the vitamins, minerals and other substances of the root crop. Therefore, it is actively used for the treatment and prevention of various diseases, as well as for cleansing the body and losing weight. But if the product is used improperly, on the contrary, it can harm the body, and for some diseases, beet juice is generally contraindicated.

Chemical composition and calorie content of beet juice

Beetroot and its juice have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times, and in the Middle Ages, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract were treated in this way. Beet juice is considered almost more useful than the root crop itself. This is because the chemical composition of the product is incredibly rich and varied; you will not find such a concentration of useful substances in every vegetable or fruit juice.

In addition to the "standard" vitamin and mineral composition, the product contains the substance betalain, it is to him that beets owe their bright, saturated color. This coloring pigment is a powerful antioxidant that helps eliminate inflammation and cleanses the body.

The vitamin composition of beetroot juice is varied: 100 grams of the product contains 3 mg of vitamin C, which is more than 3% of the daily requirement. Slightly inferior to ascorbic acid is riboflavin, vitamin B2: it contains a little more than 2% of the norm. Vitamin PP - nicotinic acid, is contained here in an amount of 1.5 of the required daily intake, inferior to it in terms of vitamin E - almost 1% of the norm for an adult.

Beetroot juice is rich in trace elements: potassium is 5.9% of the norm for humans, magnesium 4.3%, sodium 3.5%, phosphorus 2.2%. There is even calcium - after drinking 100 grams of the drink, we will get almost 2% of the daily requirement.

Among the macronutrients, iron is the leader - 3.3% of the daily requirement for a person in 100 grams of the product.

BJU per 100 grams:

Proteins 1g
Fats 0g
Carbohydrates 14 g

Also in the composition of water - 83 grams out of 100 possible, organic acids - malic, oxalic in the amount of 0.2 g and 1 gram of dietary fiber. The product is saturated with pectins, amino acids, flavonoids.

Calorie beet juice - 5.8 units per 100 grams

The benefits of beet juice for the body

As we found out, beetroot juice contains many substances that our body needs for health. B vitamins are necessary for the health of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, they regulate metabolism, improve brain function. On guard of the health of the cardiovascular system are potassium and magnesium, and vitamin C, which strengthens the walls of blood vessels and makes them more elastic. Ascorbic acid also helps fight free radicals, thereby protecting our body from aging and dangerous diseases.

Benefits of beetroot juice:

Pectin protects against the effects of radiation, helps to remove heavy metals, and also prevents harmful bacteria from developing in the human intestine.
Coloring pigments are able to reduce blood pressure, strengthen capillaries. The vegetable contains several types of betalains, which neutralize toxins and cleanse the cells of the human body. Pigments have a positive effect on human health with hypertension, type 2 diabetes and even dementia. The substance is rapidly absorbed, and quickly enters the circulatory system from the gastrointestinal tract
Beetroot juice is useful for anemia and blood diseases, because it contains a lot of iron.
Strengthens the immune system
Reduces cholesterol levels
Returns vigor with beriberi
Helps improve memory and focus
Increases efficiency, gives strength and energy
Positive effect on the digestive system
Has a mild laxative effect for constipation
Accelerates metabolism
Promotes the elimination of harmful substances from the liver and kidneys
Removes excess calcium from blood vessels
Beneficial effect on the lymphatic system
It is a prophylactic against cancer
It has a positive effect on men's health and prevents the development of prostatitis
Reduces pressure - this is the benefit of beetroot juice only for hypertensive patients
Helps with insomnia
Eliminates external sores and abscesses
Prevention of acne and pimples with external use
Eliminates pain during the menstrual period
Cleanses the intestines from toxins
Increases the body's resistance to colds

As you can see, beetroot juice has very extensive useful properties, some of them, for example, beetroot juice from pressure or from a cold, we will dwell on in more detail below. But first, let's talk about the dangers and contraindications of beet juice for the human body.

Harm of beet juice

Like most other products, beet juice can have not only medicinal, but also harmful properties. This is not surprising, because, with certain diseases, some substances are necessary for treatment, and with other pathologies, these same components will be harmful.

The use of beetroot juice can provoke the movement of kidney stones, so it is prohibited for urolithiasis. Beetroot juice increases the acidity of the stomach, respectively, with gastritis, as with an ulcer, it will harm. Beetroot juice should be drunk with caution for people with diabetes, because the root contains a lot of sugars.

Even healthy people should not drink a lot of beetroot juice, it is a very concentrated product and you need to drink it in small doses. Even a glass of undiluted beet juice will be harmful to a person. If you drink a lot of this juice, vomiting and nausea will not take long.

Contraindications for drinking

Beetroot juice is contraindicated in the following pathologies:

Urolithiasis disease
Pyelonephritis and other kidney diseases
Gout
Rheumatoid arthritis
Frequent diarrhea
Low blood pressure
Gastritis with high acidity
Osteoporosis
Diabetes
Individual intolerance to the components

If you have any of these diseases, make a decision with your doctor about the use of beetroot juice. Is it possible to drink beetroot juice if there are no these pathologies? It is better to undergo an examination before using the drink as a medicine, all of a sudden, you simply do not know about the violations in the body, and taking juice will only worsen the condition.

How to drink beetroot juice

The first thing to remember before use: do not drink freshly squeezed beetroot juice, it contains a lot of burning esters and the concentration of substances is too high. After preparing the drink, put it in the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours, but do not cover it. During this time, the juice will settle, a precipitate will form at the bottom, and the burning ethers will evaporate. Then you need to remove the foam and pour the contents of the glass into another container. Make sure that the sediment does not migrate to another jar. But even in this case, the drink should not be drunk in its pure form, it must be diluted with other juices or water. Paired with beetroot juice, you can use cranberry, orange, cucumber, carrot, celery juice. Before dilution, we advise you to familiarize yourself with the indications and contraindications of the selected "second" juice. Moreover, beet juice in a glass should be the least, for example, 1 part of beet juice and 3 parts of other juices. If, after drinking, allergic reactions or other side effects are not noticed, you can slightly increase the amount of beetroot juice in the “cocktail”.

In its pure form, beetroot juice for the treatment and prevention of diseases can be drunk only in one case: if the doses of the elixir are very small. You need to start with a couple of teaspoons, gradually increasing the portion to 50 grams. Drink half an hour before meals.

The dosage regimen and serving size depend on diseases and additional conditions (pregnancy, childhood, etc.).

How to make beetroot juice at home

If you want to buy beetroot juice, this is not the best choice for health. The most useful and safe product will turn out if you make it yourself. Moreover, this does not require special household appliances, as well as special culinary skills. If there is no juicer in your home arsenal, you can get by with a fine grater.

To prepare beetroot juice, first you need to cut off the tops and the upper part of the root crop (about a third). Extract the juice with a juicer, or by rubbing the vegetable on a fine grater. Place the resulting mass in gauze and squeeze out the juice. Remember to place the freshly squeezed beetroot juice in the refrigerator for several hours. While the drink is infused, foam forms on the surface, which must be removed from time to time.

Beetroot Juice Recipes

Above we have described the method of making juice from raw beets. Also, a healing product can be obtained from a boiled vegetable. The root crop directly in the peel must be boiled until tender, or baked in the oven. After that, peel the beets from the skin and send them to a juicer or blender. Let the drink stand and take 150 ml per day, but the daily portion of juice at the initial stage should be 70 ml.

Beet-carrot-apple juice is prepared as follows:

At the same time, place all the fruits in a juicer or blender. Take vegetables and fruits in equal parts
To increase the usefulness of the drink and improve the taste, you can add a little ginger.
Put the mixture in the refrigerator for two hours without covering the container.
Consume on an empty stomach

How long can beetroot juice be stored

The prepared beetroot juice must be kept in the refrigerator. And he should stay there for no more than two days, then most of the useful substances disappear. If you drink an "expired" drink, the expected therapeutic effect will not be. Beets are well stored in the refrigerator, and the process of making juice is not labor-intensive, so it makes no sense to prepare the elixir for future use.

Treatment with beetroot juice

The product is used in an integrated approach in the treatment of:

Constipation - dietary fiber from the root crop improves metabolism, has a laxative and diuretic effect
Hypertension, because the drink is saturated with magnesium
Pathologies of the thyroid gland, due to the content of iodine
To improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system
In case of violation of the menstrual cycle, as well as severe pain during this period. The product is rich in iron, and women at this moment need to replenish its reserves
obesity
runny nose
Angina

It must be understood that drinking beet juice alone is not enough to treat these diseases. Competent therapy should be carried out, where the use of the drink will play an important role

beetroot juice for weight loss

Despite the obvious sweetness, beet juice really helps to get rid of excess weight. This is achieved due to the content of dietary fiber, which cleanses the intestinal walls, speeds up metabolism and creates a feeling of fullness in the stomach. The laxative effect of the product is also important here. At the same time, vitamins and minerals are absorbed better, because now they are not interfered with by harmful intestinal microflora.

The drink will help get rid of excess weight only in conjunction with a diet. By the way, there are special nutrition systems based on this product. Naturally, the diet should in no case consist only of beets and its juice. Beet-cucumber juice will be especially effective.

Useful properties of beetroot juice for pregnant women

The product contains a lot of folic acid, so the drink will not interfere with a healthy pregnant woman and unborn baby. It is better to drink beet juice already at the stage of pregnancy planning. It is important to follow the basic rules:

Drink only a settled drink, half diluted with water
Start taking with a tablespoon a day, carefully observing the reaction of the body
Gradually increase the serving to 100 grams per day
Consult your doctor before using

With angina and runny nose

With angina, it is useful to make beet-vinegar rinses. Grind the vegetable on a fine grater, then add a tablespoon of vinegar there. We put in a dark place for 4 hours and squeeze the juice through gauze. Gargle with this substance every two hours. Also, this recipe is used for tonsillitis.

Beetroot juice from a runny nose will help relieve nasal congestion, reduce the amount of secretion secreted. Apply when:

Flu and colds
angina
bronchitis
Sinusitis
Tonsillitis
Allergies (in some cases)

Beetroot juice is not addictive, unlike many pharmaceutical products. It relieves puffiness, dilutes the mucous secretion, ensuring its easy excretion, and has a vasodilating effect.

Juice is obtained according to the above recipe, but they do not drink it, but are used as nasal drops, which can be given even to children. Important: be sure to dilute the juice with water.

With oncology

In this case, pure beetroot juice is prepared, without the addition of other vegetables. Take 100 ml of juice four times a day twenty minutes before meals. If during the reception you feel nausea, malaise, reduce the portion by half. And be sure to consult your doctor before use.

For kids

Diluted beetroot juice is also given to children for the prevention and treatment of diseases. For example, if there are problems with the intestines, constipation, beetroot juice will help the child without many chemical drugs.

The drink will increase immunity, which is especially needed by the children's body during the period of colds. And above, we have already said that beetroot juice is instilled into the nose of children with a runny nose.

Beetroot juice for the heart and blood vessel cleansing

The drink will be useful for high cholesterol, coronary disease, it will cleanse the blood vessels. Useful for varicose veins and for strengthening blood vessels. It also lowers blood pressure. A good option would be a mix of beetroot, cucumber and carrot juices, while carrot juice should be taken the most.

Beet juice for the liver

The pigment betalain, which is contained in the root crop, improves liver function. Beetroot juice helps the body get rid of toxins and remove harmful substances.

Drink for the liver is prepared in this way:

Mix 3 parts beetroot juice
10 parts carrot
3 parts cucumber
Let it brew and take 50 ml three times a day. Gradually total such a mixture per day can be brought up to 500 ml.

How to choose beets for a drink

Of course, it must be a quality root crop purchased from a trusted place. Beets should be firm and elastic, rich red, burgundy, purple. The shape should be slightly oblong or spherical in shape. The average root size is 11 cm, so there will be less nitrates in the vegetable. There should be no black or white inclusions in the cut beets, they indicate that the root crop has begun to deteriorate. After purchasing, wash the beetroot well and remove the skin.

Beet and carrot juice

To make carrot-beetroot juice:

First, squeeze the juice from the carrots and place in a suitable container
Add one part beetroot juice and mix well
Add water if taste seems harsh
Put the vegetable beet-carrot mix for half an hour in the refrigerator
Take three times a day before meals

Such a drink will be twice as useful as just beet juice. It will replenish the vitamin and mineral balance in the human body, improve the functioning of the digestive system, have a positive effect on vision, prevent gum and tooth diseases, remove toxins and toxins, and strengthen the cardiovascular system. Also, carrot-beetroot juice will provide energy, affect endurance and help get rid of chronic fatigue. The drink is contraindicated for ulcers and gastritis, colitis, diabetes mellitus, exacerbation of urolithiasis and hypotension.

Video about the benefits of beet juice

Today, beets are a root crop, without which many dishes of Slavic cuisine are indispensable: borscht, beetroot, okroshka, vinaigrette, etc. Due to the high concentration of useful trace elements and vitamins, this vegetable has taken pride of place not only among recognized chefs, but also among healers. Freshly squeezed beetroot juice is a storehouse of vitamins and a recipe for 100 ailments, the main thing is to learn how to cook and use it correctly. Let's talk more about this miraculous drink in the article.

Beets: origin story

The preparation of beetroot juice has its own characteristics. Consider a step-by-step instruction for obtaining a healing drink.

Wash 3 medium beets thoroughly under running water. It is better to choose an oblong shape of root crops without white streaks inside.
Peel beetroot. Do not throw away the tops (leaves) yet, we will still need it.
Prepare the juicer, connect it to the power source.
Cut root vegetables into quarters.
Place the cut beets and beet tops in the juicer bowl. The fact is that vitamin A is found in beet fruits in a very low amount, in contrast to the tops, which are rich in both vitamin A and retinol. The usefulness of our juice will only increase from this.
Turn on the juicer for 5-6 minutes.
Remove 2 bowls: one with the so-called waste (wort) - mushy thick, left after squeezing the juice and the second - directly with the juice itself.

You can also make beetroot juice without a juicer using a blender. The video shows in detail the steps for obtaining a drink using this method.

It should be noted that it is not recommended to drink freshly squeezed juice right away - you need to give it time to brew for 2-3 hours in a cool place, preferably in the refrigerator. Then remove the foam formed on top with a spoon and only then drink the drink.

Many are interested in whether it is possible to make juice from boiled beets. Of course, you can - only freshly squeezed beetroot juice contains an order of magnitude higher useful microelements, which lose their properties when boiled and boiled.

If the question arises of how exactly to drink beetroot juice for preventive and curative purposes, one should remember to gradually increase the dose to 50 ml per day. Concentrated juice in large quantities can provoke peptic ulcers, cause nausea and dizziness. Therefore, it is recommended to start: adults with 2 tbsp. l. per day, children from 2.5 years old - from 3 drops, diluted in the same amount of water; children from 5 years old - from 2 tsp, divorced from 2 tsp. boiled water. Instead of water, beetroot juice can be diluted with carrot, apple, orange, grapefruit, cranberry juice, kefir, honey water. From such a combination, the juice will only become more useful, and the body will gently get used to this healing drink.

When losing weight, such vegetable mixes should be drunk 20-30 minutes before meals.

Contraindications to the use of beet juice

If used improperly, beetroot juice can be harmful.

Here are the most common contraindications that this seemingly healing drink can provoke:

peptic ulcer and problems of the gastrointestinal tract: an increased concentration of vitamin C and oxalic acid can provoke attacks;
urolithiasis or kidney problems;
the presence of an allergic predisposition to red vegetables;
indigestion, diarrhea, flatulence - beetroot juice, due to the high percentage of fiber, will only increase all these ailments;
diabetes. It is a well-known fact that sugar is extracted from beets, so beetroot juice in its pure form contains a high level of glucose.

The video details situations in which beetroot juice can be poisonous.

In any case, if you have any acute ailments, it is recommended that you first consult a doctor, and then proceed to treatment with beetroot juice.

Treatment with beetroot juice

Even our grandmothers saw a panacea in beetroot juice and for good reason considered it an integral component for the treatment of many ailments using folk methods. Here are some recipes for some of the ailments that beet juice heals:

with excess weight, hypertension, atherosclerosis, hepatic colic, problems with blood vessels, it is recommended to drink the following cocktail daily: mix 100 ml of beet juice with the juice of half a lemon, juice of 1 orange and 30 g of celery, chopped with a blender. Such a drink will not only have a cleansing effect on the body, but will also give strength and energy;
with constipation, it is recommended to drink on an empty stomach 50 ml of beetroot juice with 1 prunes infused in it;
oncological diseases are miraculously healed if you use the following cocktail 3 times a day: mix 200 ml of beetroot juice with 100 ml of carrot juice and add 1 tsp. honey;
with sore throat, runny nose, otitis media, problems with adenoids, it is recommended to mix 50 ml of beetroot juice with the juice of 1 small onion and spray the throat, drip into the nose or ears;
with sinusitis, rinse the nose well with the following solution: mix 50 ml of beet juice with 50 ml of a weak NaCl solution (0.5 tsp per 100 ml of water);
in acute infectious diseases, for general strengthening of the body, it is recommended to drink 100 ml of freshly squeezed beetroot juice twice a day;
hepatitis does not tolerate the following health cocktail recipe: mix 100 ml of beetroot juice with 100 ml of black radish juice;
in the event of abrasions, scratches, cuts, beetroot juice serves as a wonderful antibacterial and deodorant agent: apply gruel from shabby beets to the lesion and hold for 20 minutes;
The following recipe will relieve inflammation in a feminine way: 200 g of beetroot juice is diluted with 50 ml of boiling water, infused for 20 minutes, 20 ml of chamomile broth is added. In this mixture, a cotton swab is wetted and inserted into the vagina for 30-40 minutes. To increase the effectiveness of therapy, the procedure should be repeated three times a day.

Fresh recipes with beetroot juice

Today, due to the wide range of useful and healing properties, vegetable juices and fresh juices have become very popular. Such drinks are saturated with amino acids and microelements, and also comply with the principles of a healthy diet.

To drink fresh juice that is not only healthy, but also tasty, you can add ingredients to beetroot juice that will not only emphasize the taste of the root crop, but also give it a new gastronomic touch:

Beet-carrot juice. In a blender, beat 1 medium peeled beetroot and 2-3 carrots. Strain the resulting mixture through cheesecloth to obtain a concentrated liquid.
Beet-carrot-apple juice. In a juicer or blender, beat 1 medium beetroot, 2 carrots and 1 large green apple.
Beet-celery juice. Add 20 ml of celery juice to beetroot juice.
Beet-grapefruit fresh "Slimness". Beat in a blender together or separately cut and peeled medium-sized grapefruit and 1 beet root, you can add 1 tsp. honey.
Fruit and vegetable fresh "Health". Juices of 1 beetroot, 1 apple, 3 carrots, ½ lemon are mixed. You can add a clove of garlic for a piquancy of taste.
Vegetable fresh "Cheerfulness". Juices of 1 beet, 2 carrots, 30 g of grated ginger, ½ lemon, 50 ml of boiled cool water, 1 tbsp are mixed. l. heavy cream, sugar and salt are added to taste.
Vegetable fresh anti-hangover. The juice of 1 beetroot, 3 carrots, 1 medium grapefruit is mixed, 1 tbsp is added. l. heavy cream and 1/3 tsp. cinnamon.
Beet kvass. This healing drink is prepared very simply. Many people prefer just such kvass, and not bread. First of all, you will need a 2 or 3 liter bottle with a wide neck. It is recommended to choose beetroot vinaigrette, bright red, without veins. Finely chopped or grated root should be poured with 2-2.5 liters of cold boiled water, add 2 tbsp. l. sugar or a large handful of raisins, a couple of pieces of dried cloves. Then the bottle should be covered with a special breathable lid or wrapped tightly with gauze so that excess carbon dioxide comes out during fermentation. After 2-3 days, it is recommended to drain the resulting bright pink kvass, after filtering it through cheesecloth to avoid getting solid particles into the drink. The remaining thick can also be used to make kvass 1-2 more times.

You can choose the ingredients yourself and cook fresh juices according to your own exclusive recipes.

Regardless of the form in which you decide to use beetroot juice: in pure concentrated, diluted with water, in the form of fresh juices or kvass, after systematic methods you will notice how the body has been updated and rejuvenated, metabolic processes have accelerated and the complexion has improved. Making a choice in favor of natural vegetable juices, you will not have to spend money on expensive medicines in the future.

In nature, there are more than 10 varieties of beets, but this root crop has received the widest distribution in the form of ordinary, table and fodder. To prepare a drink, as a rule, a table variety is used. The article will discuss the benefits and harms of beet juice.

What's in the composition?

Beetroot juice is famous for its beneficial properties, and people have known about this for a very long time. This makes it possible to use it to treat various diseases, as well as to strengthen the body.

Beets are rich in vitamins such as B, C, PP, and E, as well as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, fluorine, sodium, potassium, and many others. This root crop is very low in fat, but contains a lot of fiber, carbohydrates, pectin and organic acids. Juice has a calorie content of 40 kcal per 100 grams. What are the benefits and harms of beet juice for the liver?

What diseases are indicated

The use of beets is useful for various diseases. These include the following:

Now let's talk about the benefits and harms of beet juice. Despite its usefulness, some of its use is still better to refuse. What are the benefits and harms of beet juice, many are interested.

What is the benefit?

Beetroot juice has one very important property - it cleanses the liver of toxins accumulated as a result of vital activity. In addition, it stimulates the gallbladder and kidneys, cleanses the blood and lymph.

This root crop is a real treasure for those who wish to replenish pectin reserves in the body. It is these substances that protect the human body from the harmful effects of the environment.

Freshly squeezed beetroot juice contains a large amount of iron, which helps to raise the level of hemoglobin in the blood. Beetroot improves the general condition, raises the tone, dilates blood vessels and improves memory.

Speaking about the benefits and harms of freshly squeezed beetroot juice, one cannot be categorical. After all, this is a controversial issue.

If you drink beetroot juice daily, you can give a pleasant complexion, strengthen nails and hair. Such a drink regulates blood pressure due to the formation in the body of special substances - nitrites, which dilate blood vessels, and this, in turn, prevents a number of serious heart diseases, reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

Beetroot juice can help in getting rid of problems in the work of housing and communal services. With a mild laxative property, it helps with constipation.

Traditional medicines made on the basis of beetroot juice actively fight against diseases of the joints, help fight depression, overload the nervous system and contribute to the normalization of healthy sleep. It is not yet clear what is more from it - benefit and harm.

We have explained above.

Harm of beet juice

The juice of this root crop can sometimes have a harmful effect on the body. This applies to cases of its excessive consumption, as well as improper measures for preparing the drink.

To avoid this, the following recommendations must be followed:

It is necessary to start drinking beetroot juice gradually, starting with small volumes - from about 30 grams at a time.
Before use, you need to keep the juice in the refrigerator for an hour.
It is not recommended to take beetroot juice for people with kidney and bladder stones.
This product has the property of lowering blood pressure, as a result of which it is contraindicated in people suffering from hypotension.
Patients who develop stomach and intestinal ulcers should also not consume fresh beetroot juice.
The use of this product in large quantities can cause nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and headaches.

Can pregnant women?

The product has only a beneficial effect on the state of the body of expectant mothers. The beneficial properties of beets include preventing the reproduction of pathogenic microbes in the intestines, preventing acute respiratory diseases, which is achieved due to the effect that is associated with strengthening the immune system. In addition, expectant mothers often suffer from constipation, and beetroot juice helps them overcome such problems.

The most important useful property of fresh beetroot juice during pregnancy is the replenishment of iron stores in the body. Beetroot juice is very useful for anemia in pregnant women.

However, there are also juice that should not be consumed by pregnant women who suffer from diabetes, as well as diarrhea of various origins and low blood pressure.

When carrying a child, it is very useful to take beetroot juice in combination with carrot juice, and this should be done at least once a week.

We will also consider the benefits and harms of beetroot juice for children.

children

The juice of this root crop is also useful in childhood. Pediatricians advise parents to prepare this product for their children, starting from the first year of life. You can use it to get rid of problems with the stool. In this case, you can start taking juice up to a year, but you should carefully follow the dosage. Children from six months - 2-3 drops of beetroot juice on an empty stomach. You can dilute the juice with a small amount of boiled water.

Do Beetroot Juice Lose Weight?

Diets based on the use of beets are aimed at getting rid of excess weight by cleansing the body of toxins and toxins. In order to lose weight in the shortest possible time, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

You can talk forever about the benefits and dangers of beets. Any Russian person from childhood is well aware of this root crop, the beneficial properties of which were highly valued in the old days. We are used to seeing it as a mandatory component in such familiar dishes as beetroot, vinaigrette, herring under a fur coat, and in restaurants you can find real culinary delights from beets: marmalade, sorbet, ice cream and many delicious salads.

The composition and calorie content of beets

Beetroot is a vegetable with a very rich composition. A real "pharmacy" that allows you to improve your health, which includes substances such as:

Di- and monosaccharides
Alimentary fiber
Starch
Organic acids that contribute to the normalization of digestion
beta carotene

100 grams of beetroot contains:

Proteins - 1.5 grams
Fats - 0.1 grams
Carbohydrates - 8.8 grams

As for calories, it is important to consider 2 key aspects:

Raw beets have only 40 calories (of course, per 100 grams).
If we are talking about a boiled vegetable, then here the numbers increase slightly - 49 kcal.

In any case, it is a complete dietary product, which also contains many vitamins and useful elements (micro-, macro-):

	The amount of mg in 100 grams (or mcg)









Manganese

This is by no means a complete list, although it may seem that the entire periodic table is listed here. In fact, the composition of the vegetable includes a complex of amino acids, including:

Histidine
betanine
Arginine and others.

When cooking the product in beets does not decrease the amount of nutrients, there is no transformation of the composition, so the vegetable is useful in any form.

The benefits of beets for the human body (fruits, juice, tops)

Of course, in the composition of dishes, the benefits of beets are somewhat reduced, therefore, for health and medicinal purposes, it is better to eat raw or boiled, make freshly squeezed juice or decoction from it, and also use beet tops for food.

Why buy a dozen expensive drugs in a pharmacy if an excellent healing agent grows in almost every garden and lies in abundance on store shelves! Given the numerous medicinal properties of beets, you should definitely allocate a place for it on your site and add this wonderful root crop to your diet more often.

Video about the beneficial properties of beets

The medicinal properties of red beets were recognized by Hippocrates. This root vegetable was used to treat skin inflammations and infectious diseases, and Dr. Paracelsus successfully treated various blood diseases with the help of beets, including iron deficiency anemia.

There are not as many vitamins in beets as in carrots or bell peppers, but beet leaves are a good source of vitamin A, while root vegetables contain vitamin B9 in sufficient quantities, thanks to which beets are very useful for preventing heart disease. There are even separate varieties of Swiss chard (for example, Chard or some fodder varieties). And in terms of the presence of iodine, iron and zinc, the root crop is significantly superior to other vegetables, being the best natural medicine for problems with hematopoiesis, in violation of the function of the sex glands and metabolism.

Beet leaves are a good source of vitamin A

The rich chemical composition, which includes amino acids, organic acids, bioflavonoids, pectins, glucose, fructose, minerals and trace elements, provides the unique properties of beets.

Beets are useful because:

prevents anemia and promotes the production of hemoglobin;
helps to create new cells in the body, providing a rejuvenating effect;
improves digestion and intestinal motility;
improves metabolism and, consequently, helps with smooth weight loss;
eliminates toxins;
reduces the risk of occurrence and reduces the growth of malignant tumors;
cleanses blood vessels;
helps in the treatment of hypertension and atherosclerosis;
stimulates sexual activity in men;
relieves premenstrual pain for women;
has a laxative and diuretic effect;
has an anti-inflammatory effect;
anesthetizes, promotes recovery;
helps to cope with depression;
increases the endurance of the body;
helps to preserve the health of vision;
indispensable for diseases of the thyroid gland due to the record amount of iodine.

Beetroot, which has only 40 calories, occupies an important place in the diet.

It is especially useful to use beets and dishes from it during pregnancy, because there are so many iron, iodine and folic acid necessary for bearing a child! Yes, and increased intestinal motility with the destruction of putrefactive bacteria with the help of a root during this period will be very helpful.

Beets, whose caloric content is only 40 kcal, occupy an important place in dietary nutrition. Dishes from it are tasty, satisfy hunger well, but at the same time they are low in calories and cleanse the body well, helping to cope with obesity.

Raw or boiled?

There are adherents of eating only boiled vegetables, someone believes that raw beets cannot be better. We offer to figure out who can and cannot use both options, what are the objective advantages of the chosen form of use.

boiled vegetable

It is no secret that most vegetables tend to lose their beneficial qualities during the heat treatment process. Beets are a welcome exception to the rule. Even boiled, it perfectly preserves all minerals with vitamins. The only transformation that happens to it is a slight increase in calories.

Since beets contain enough iron, it helps to quickly restore blood loss and effectively fight diseases such as anemia. That is why women are recommended to regularly consume beets, including boiled ones, during menstrual bleeding. The presence of boron in the composition contributes to the production of hormones. You can continue this list for a long time, since the beneficial properties of the vegetable after cooking will not differ in any way from the properties of the raw one.

As for the bans. There are some nuances here. With the abuse of boiled beets, you can come to such a problem as lowering the natural level of absorption of calcium by the body. In this regard, it is not recommended to use boiled beets for people with a deficiency of this substance. Otherwise, the list of contraindications is 100% similar to the prohibitions for a raw vegetable (you will get to know them below).

fresh vegetable

It is rare to find skeptics about eating raw beets. Since childhood, we have been familiar with salads, in which, among other things, this vegetable is present. This is not surprising, given the objective health benefits there are if you decide to eat raw beets:

Anti-inflammatory properties, both externally and internally.
A natural antioxidant that removes accumulated toxins from the body, salts with cholesterol, while simultaneously protecting against negative radioactive effects.
Beneficial effect on the digestive tract.
Improving the activity of the cardiovascular system.
Restoration and renewal of liver cells.
Strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis when consumed wisely.
Comprehensive strengthening of the immune system.
Improving the state of vision.
An increase in energy reserves and performance is a natural “doping”.
Excellent prevention of prostate adenoma.

The benefits of beets during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Women who are preparing to become mothers, as well as those who practice breastfeeding, should pay attention to beets and be sure to eat them. As already noted, this vegetable has a lot of vitamins and other useful components that the body needs so much in a similar state:

Folic acid is indispensable for preventing malformations of the baby in the womb. It helps to develop the child's central nervous system normally.
Thanks to iron, you can forget about its lack, which many pregnant women face. Plus, the element helps to eliminate oxygen starvation of the fetus, as it saturates the blood with oxygen.
No one will argue that iodine is extremely important during pregnancy and lactation, and it is also found in beets. This is especially important for those women who have problems with the thyroid gland.
Practice shows that with high blood pressure, beets can act as “pills” to lower these indicators.

However, beets should be treated with caution by those mothers who are prone to indigestion or suffer from diabetes.

Benefits of beets for weight loss

Often, beets are found as a basic ingredient in mono-diets for a couple of days. This is not surprising, given the composition of the vegetable. In terms of weight loss, elements such as:

Iron
Potassium

Among the main advantages of introducing beets into the diet of losing weight:

Thanks to betaine, protein is better absorbed in the body, coming from food.
Reception of beets before meals can significantly reduce the feeling of hunger and get a quick satiety.
Since there is enough fiber in beets, it increases in volume in the stomach without being digested, giving signals about the absence of hunger.
Acceleration of metabolism.
Removal of toxins and other harmful substances.
Both raw beetroot and boiled beetroot help fight fat accumulation (curcumin is responsible for this) while respecting the basics of PP.

THIS IS INTERESTING: nutritionists believe that it is better, while on a diet, to give preference to a raw vegetable, since a boiled one has a higher glycemic index, plus, an increased calorie content.

The benefits of beets for pancreatitis and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

We have already listed the positive qualities of beets and its effect on the body. Naturally, this also affects the scope of the gastrointestinal tract. People suffering from pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal diseases can count on the help of beets, as it:

Prevents the development of pathogenic bacteria and microbes in the body.
Removal of toxins from the intestines.
With the help of a root crop, you can prepare a composition for getting rid of Giardia.
Beets are indispensable for getting rid of constipation.
Regular use of vegetables in food allows you to improve the activity of the digestive organs in a complex.

Contraindications and potential harm for women and men

It would be wrong to say that a vegetable is unhealthy. In fact, the harm of beets can only manifest itself if it is thoughtlessly consumed in large quantities in the presence of certain health problems.

Beets interfere with calcium absorption

So, you should not get carried away with either raw or boiled beets for gastritis with high acidity, since this root crop can further increase the acidity of the stomach. In diabetes, it is also advisable to limit the consumption of vegetables, because it contains a considerable amount of sugars. And if red beet is beneficial for chronic constipation, then it is definitely not worth it for chronic diarrhea, so as not to aggravate the situation, especially in old age.

It is undesirable to drink fresh root vegetable juice for gout, rheumatoid arthritis, intestinal disorders and low blood pressure.

Keep in mind that beets interfere with calcium absorption. This is especially true for osteoporosis or a predisposition to it, but pregnant women should definitely pay attention to this property of beets and do not eat it excessively.

Beets are completely contraindicated in urolithiasis due to the content of oxalic acid. Despite the folk recipes found on the Internet for the treatment of stones in the bladder and kidneys with beet juice, it is strongly not recommended to do this!

The amazing medicinal properties of beets are preserved even during long-term winter storage.

Where more useful properties: in raw, boiled, baked, steamed, fried or in fresh juice

The most beneficial properties of beets are manifested in freshly squeezed juice. All vitamins and minerals in the juice of root crops are contained in a concentrated form. Such juice is useful for severe fatigue, beriberi, with a lack of hemoglobin, constipation, and also for the purpose of general cleansing of the body and removal of toxins. Drinking fresh beet juice at the first sign of a cold helps the body to cope with the disease immediately.

But pure beetroot juice is too saturated, so it is usually mixed with carrot juice in a ratio of 1 to 10, eventually increasing the amount of beetroot juice to half a glass. When preparing vegetable juice, the beet roots are first squeezed out so that the juice settles a little, and only after a couple of hours the carrots are squeezed out. In case of hypertension, it is better to drink table beet juice with a diluted spoonful of honey.

You can use the juice squeezed from the beet roots, and for the treatment of the common cold: in this case, a little fermented juice is instilled three times a day in each nostril, two or three drops.

The most powerful properties of beets are manifested in freshly squeezed juice.

Other options for eating beets:

the most useful is raw beets, but it should be eaten in small portions, otherwise problems with the gastrointestinal tract are possible. You can reduce the active effect of a raw vegetable if you grate it and let it stand for a while or mix it with other vegetables in a salad;
boiled, baked and stewed root vegetables are recommended for constipation, digestive disorders, diseases of the gallbladder and liver, boiled beets can also be eaten by patients with diabetes;
dishes with beets help in the treatment of atherosclerosis and obesity, the fruits baked in the oven are especially tasty (sometimes they are made in the microwave, which is less useful, but comes out faster than with the oven);
pickled and pickled beets have long been used as the best remedy for scurvy;
beet tops are very useful to add to salads, soups, casseroles or soak dried in wine vinegar - in autumn, beet greens contain more vitamins, minerals and protein than root vegetables. Often, useful kvass is made from the leaves;
for constipation, grated boiled beets are seasoned with olive oil and used as a mild laxative at night;
externally, gruel from the raw fruit is applied to ulcers and cracks, changing the compress as it dries. Masks with the addition of a vegetable have a beneficial effect on the skin in the presence of teenage acne.

Korean-style beetroot will be a pleasant snack for lovers of spicy, as well as grated fruit in combination with horseradish. However, remember that there are very few health benefits in such products!

Video about the benefits of beets

What to combine root vegetables in salads and other dishes

The most popular and useful combinations can be as follows:

juice of beets, apples and carrots (taken in the morning on an empty stomach);
root vegetable with sour cream and garlic (there are options with mayonnaise, but this product is clearly not good for health);
salad with root vegetables, nuts and prunes - a real delicacy and good for the intestines;

The amazing medicinal properties of beets are preserved even during long-term winter storage. So, in the spring, when the body is experiencing a particular lack of vitamins and useful trace elements, the root crop can become a real life-saving remedy for improving health! Therefore, the question of what is more in beets - benefit or harm, is now much easier to answer.

Useful recipes to remember

If you study the recipes of traditional medicine, you can find many options with the inclusion of sugar beets, as well as those where it acts as the main ingredient. Here are some of the most simple and effective recipes for different life situations.

Hypertensive patients can mix ¼ of freshly squeezed beet juice with a teaspoon of flower honey and drink before meals to reduce pressure.
Got a runny nose? No problem! Wait until the beet juice turns sour, and then instill it into the nasal passages 3 times a day, 2 drops.
With scurvy, it is recommended to cook and eat pickled beets. You can cook it according to the traditional recipe.
You can also treat ulcers with the support of the described vegetable. Grate the beets to make a gruel, and apply on the affected skin.
Wait for the mixture to dry and change the bandage. This recipe, by the way, is good for acne in adolescence.

The benefits of beetroot juice

First of all, I want to say that beetroot juice has a positive effect on immunity. This affects the increase in the body's resistance to all kinds of viruses and. It also helps lower blood cholesterol levels. In addition, beetroot juice has anti-aging properties. By taking it, you can restore a healthy look to your face and improve its color.

As mentioned earlier, beetroot juice contains an element such as iron. It is thanks to him that this drink helps the body in the formation of erythrocytes - red blood cells, which positively affects the level of hemoglobin.

During critical days, many women experience discomfort and cramps in the abdomen. If you take a small amount of beetroot juice during this period of time, it will greatly alleviate the pain. In addition, this vitamin drink is also very useful for. I'm not afraid to say that it works better than any drugs made on a hormonal basis.

Beetroot juice is also indicated for those people who suffer from anemia. Due to betaine, which is present in the composition of this product, freshly squeezed beet juice normalizes not only the peristalsis of the stomach, but also positively affects the functioning of the liver, normalizes the functioning of the biliary tract and is able to remove salt deposited in the joints.

People who suffer from diseases associated with a lack of iodine in the body are also recommended to drink beetroot juice. By the way, it can even be taken as a prophylactic.

With the help of this vitamin miracle drink, you can also remove accumulated toxins from the body. In this case, you need to take beetroot juice very carefully, because even a small amount of it quite actively performs the task. If used improperly, the following sensations may occur: nausea, dizziness and even vomiting.

Contraindications

Beetroot juice, like any other remedy, has some contraindications to. If you do not give them due importance, then treatment with beet juice will not only not give a positive result, but also harm.

List of diseases for which beetroot juice should not be taken:

increased acidity of the stomach;

diabetes;

low blood pressure - hypotension;

cholelithiasis and kidney stones;

gout and rheumatoid arthritis;

kidney disease: glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, nephrotic syndrome;

chronic diarrhea.

How to drink beetroot juice

In order for beetroot juice to give a more effective result, you need to take it into account and take into account a few simple tips:

First, before you start drinking beetroot juice, you need to go to the doctor's office and discuss this with him. He will advise you and, possibly, amend how and in what quantity to take beet juice. If you drink this vitamin drink randomly, then it can do harm, as it is a rather strong remedy.

Secondly, you need to start drinking beetroot juice in small quantities. At first, it is enough to take 50 milliliters an hour before a meal. Taking a larger serving may cause a laxative effect.

Thirdly, it will be just great if you first start taking beetroot juice, mixing it with carrot juice in proportions of 1:10. Gradually increase the amount of beetroot juice every day. Do not forget that before drinking, this drink must remain in the refrigerator for 2 hours, and in an open form.

Fourthly, freshly squeezed beetroot juice is quite energizing, so it is best to take it before 12 noon.

Fifth, beetroot juice should always be fresh, so there is no need to stock up on it for several days in advance.