Beetroot, often celebrated for its deep crimson color and earthy sweetness, is more than just a salad ingredient.
This humble root vegetable is loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and plant compounds that offer astonishing health benefits.
From lowering blood pressure to supporting liver detoxification, beetroot has been used in both traditional remedies and modern nutrition strategies to combat a variety of health issues.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the 12 diseases and conditions beetroot can help treat or manage, the science behind its healing properties, and how to incorporate it into your daily routine for maximum benefit.
Nutritional Profile of Beetroot
Before we explore its disease-fighting power, let’s look at what makes beetroot so special nutritionally.
Key Nutrients per 100g (raw):
Calories: 43 kcal
Carbohydrates: 9.6 g
Fiber: 2.8 g
Folate (Vitamin B9): 20% of the RDI
Vitamin C: 8% of the RDI
Manganese: 16% of the RDI
Potassium: 9% of the RDI
Iron, magnesium, and phosphorus in smaller amounts
Beetroot is especially rich in nitrates, betalains, and polyphenols – bioactive compounds with medicinal properties that underpin many of its health benefits.
1. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Beetroot is one of the most well-researched natural remedies for managing high blood pressure.
How it works:
Beets are rich in dietary nitrates, which convert into nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide relaxes and dilates blood vessels, improving circulation and reducing blood pressure.
Evidence:
A study published in Hypertension showed that drinking beetroot juice significantly lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure within hours.
How to use:
Drink 1 cup of fresh beet juice daily.
Roast or steam beets and add to salads.
2. Dementia and Cognitive Decline
As we age, blood flow to the brain naturally decreases. Beetroot can help reverse this trend.
How it helps:
The nitric oxide produced from beetroot nitrates increases cerebral blood flow, especially in the frontal lobe, which governs decision-making and memory.
Scientific insight:
A study from Wake Forest University found that older adults who drank beet juice before exercise had significantly improved brain function and oxygenation.
3. Heart Disease
Beetroot plays a powerful role in protecting heart health through multiple mechanisms.
Key benefits:
Lowers blood pressure
Improves cholesterol profiles
Reduces arterial stiffness
Decreases inflammation
Beetroot also contains folate, which helps regulate homocysteine, a compound that in high levels can damage blood vessels.
4. Inflammation-Related Diseases (Arthritis, IBS)
Chronic inflammation is the root cause of many diseases, including arthritis and inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS).
Why beetroot works:
Beets contain betalains, a type of antioxidant with strong anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds inhibit inflammatory enzymes like COX-2.
Observed benefits:
Reduces joint pain and stiffness
Soothes inflamed digestive tracts
May benefit those with ulcerative colitis
5. Cancer Prevention and Support
Beetroot contains anticancer compounds, including betalains, betanin, and ferulic acid, that may help prevent or slow the growth of certain types of cancer.
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