May Improve Eye Health and Brain Health
Many people consume only beetroots and throw away the greens. This is because not many people are aware that beet greens are also nutritious and can provide some health benefits. Some do not even know it is edible. As a result, many miss out on some of these health benefits.
Beet greens can help boost eye health because of their richness in carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin. Studies [12] using carotenoid supplements have shown that these substances can reduce the risk of chronic eye conditions like age-related macular degeneration in seniors.
Several brain diseases are linked [13] to a reduction in blood flow and oxygen supply to vital parts of the brain. Nitrates may help reduce the risk of these diseases by increasing blood flow and oxygen supply. It does this by dilating the blood vessels. Beets are a great source of nitrates.
Besides potentially reducing the risk of brain disease, regular consumption of beets may help improve cognitive function. In a study [14], people who consumed beetroot juice daily for two weeks had better results during a cognitive function test than those who did not.