Beetroot is a root vegetable thought to have many health benefits. This vegetable is packed with impressive nutrients and contains a small number of calories. It is rich in fiber, folates, and vitamins, and minerals like iron and manganese. Most of the benefits of beetroot, however, are linked to its richness in nitrates.
When most people talk about the health benefits of beet, they are often talking about beetroots. Beetroots are not the only nutritious part of this plant. Beet greens also provide some nutritional value.
Beet is widely known to help improve blood pressure and athletic performance, but the benefits are not limited to these two. This article discusses some of its impressive health benefits.
Improve Blood Pressure
When your blood pressure remains abnormally high for too long, it increases your risk of developing cardiovascular complications like heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. Chronic high blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a leading cause of death worldwide. While beets cannot cure you of this condition, they can help you keep your blood pressure in check.
Studies [1] show that beets can significantly reduce blood pressure by up to 10 mm Hg within a few hours of consumption. This is believed to be because beets increase the levels of nitric oxide [2] in the blood. A spike in this substance can reduce blood pressure by causing your blood vessels to relax.