Beetroots: The overlooked superfood for your diet revolution

Beetroots are a true vitamin treasure trove, offering numerous health benefits. They positively affect the immune, circulatory, digestive, nervous, and skeletal systems. They effectively prevent and treat various ailments such as anaemia, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Another advantage is their affordable price and wide availability.

Thanks to the content of vitamin C, beta-carotene, folic acid, and other antioxidants, beetroots boost the immune system and protect cells from damage. Additionally, the nitrates in beetroots lower blood pressure and improve heart performance, increasing blood and oxygen flow to muscles. Nitrates are particularly beneficial for athletes, enhancing their endurance and efficiency.

Beetroots also provide potassium, magnesium, copper, and other minerals that help regulate heart rhythm, prevent arterial calcification, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Beetroots also support the digestive system, preventing constipation due to their high fibre content, stimulating bowel movements and facilitating excretion. These vegetables can relieve heartburn and reflux by neutralising excess stomach acid and protecting the mucous membranes of the oesophagus and stomach. Additionally, beetroots contain betaine, which supports liver and bile function, improving fat digestion and detoxification of the body.

Thanks to antioxidants like anthocyanins and flavonoids, beetroots fight free radicals and prevent DNA damage. They delay the ageing process and improve skin appearance. Regularly consuming these vegetables may help reduce wrinkles, discolourations, and acne.

It is worth noting that beetroots' iron content gives skin a healthy and radiant appearance, while the presence of calcium, magnesium, and manganese, alongside other minerals, prevents osteoporosis and bone mass loss. Beetroots can also alleviate menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood swings, or sleep disturbances, thanks to the presence of phytoestrogens that help maintain hormonal balance.

Although they are quite hard, there’s no reason to avoid raw beetroots. We should note that even though raw beetroots are edible, they do not lose their properties either through cooking or pickling. Thus, it does not matter what type of beetroots we choose, as in every case we gain numerous health benefits.

However, it is important to consume them regularly. It doesn't have to be overwhelming amounts, as to feel the effects of beetroots on the body, it's enough to eat about 100 grams of this vegetable daily. Seasoned thin slices of beetroots can make an excellent addition to sandwiches or casseroles. These vegetables are also a great ingredient for salads and dinner slaws; you can bake, stew, and prepare sandwich spreads or sauces based on them. Check out our suggested beetroot recipes:

• beetroot appetiser shaped like a rose,
• creamy roasted beetroot soup,
• beetroot hummus,
• beetroot cake,
• beetroot green sauce.