BEETS! They have a bitter taste and that taste is only intensified if taken in powder or liquid form. Aside from this, there are many claims that revolve around this vegetable that point to it being beneficial towards one’s health. What does it do? Is it truly beneficial? Can I take it in a gummy to avoid the bitter taste? In this article, we are going to discuss everything that is needed to know about the infamous BEET!
What exactly are Beets?
Beets are a vegetable that is packed with a variety of minerals, vitamins, etc. that can provide multiple benefits to health. Beetroot or Beta Vulgaris is the root portion of Beets as the name suggests and are what are commonly used as superfoods and supplements to benefit health. Beetroots are not to be confused with Sugar Beets which are beets as well but specifically used for sugar production for their high concentration in sucrose. Beets are surrounded by claims that suggest they can provide benefits to cardiovascular health, exercise performance, etc.
What does Beetroot actually help with?
Beets have a variety of claims surrounding them that point to benefits in regards to overall health. The most important benefit that Beets have come to provide is cardiovascular health. Beetroots; juice, powder, capsule, chews, etc. have all been shown to overall help with circulation of blood, potentially lower blood pressure, etc. Individuals claim to slowly wean themselves off prescribed medication in substitution of beets, and fitness enthusiasts alike claim to perform better alongside having better pumps.
Ok, but how is this done?
Nitric Oxide (NO) is a naturally occurring substance within the human body that helps with vasodilation. As stated, we humans naturally produce NO through our cells but can take additional supplements to help with production, thus welcome, Beets.
Beets and other vegetables but specifically beets are high in two compounds known as Nitrates and Nitrites. These compounds can be found in other sources of food like meats and so on. Nitrates are composed of one nitrogen atom and two oxygen atoms, while Nitrates have one nitrogen atom and three oxygen atoms. Once in the human body, both compounds undergo a process through the Nitric Oxide pathway that ends up converting either to NO.
NO helps with vasodilation and this essentially means that blood vessels widen and thus allow blood flow/circulation. In doing this one can see improved results in performance in relation to breathing, endurance, muscular pump and so on. Dietary supplementation can also prove beneficial long-term in relation to blood pressure, circulation, etc.
Let’s move! But how is it best taken?
It is probably best to just eat beets in their true vegetable form as is the case with most other foods. Incorporating beets into your daily diet can be very beneficial and make you overall healthier. However, I know the taste of beets is not everyone’s favorite. They may also be hard to come by in your area. If necessary, supplementation is available in the form of liquids, capsules, powders, and chews.
It is best to take any supplement in liquid form as your body will metabolize this version best. If juice or powders are available then these are the choices to go with. However, if liquids are not your thing and capsules or chews are more your style, or just a matter of convenience then both are available as well.
So, just Beet it?
Yes! Incorporating beets into your diet may provide benefits to cardiovascular health and can make you a healthier individual overall. It will also help serve as a daily serving of vegetables and can complement almost any diet. Beets are a superfood everyone should try and get on!
