Beet root is usually colored a deep purple-red, but other variations are colored white, yellow, or a combination of these. As its name implies, it is the root part of the main plant, the beet. The plant itself has dark green leaves, which can also be consumed. Ideally, when planted, the beet root is allowed to grow for 50 to 60 days, at which point it should weight around 100 to 150 grams. However, if it isn’t harvested, the beet root will continue to grow. It can grow up to a pound, but it will become less tasty and appetizing due to the excess of fiber it develops. The beet root first gained popularity in Ancient Rome, where it was used to treat various conditions, such as constipation and fever. The Romans found that its benefits did not end there however, as they also used as an aphrodisiac. Beet roots are related to other root crops such as turnips and sugar beets but, especially in terms of nutritional value, are quite different. The taste of beet root is simple: subtly sweet and earthy, and is easy to chew due to its tenderness.
In scientific circles, beet roots are known as beta vulgaris conditiva. It can also be referred to according to its color: red beet (for the purple-red varieties) or golden beet (for the white and yellow varieties). In North America, beet roots are often referred to as table beets or garden beets.
Hypertensive people will stand to benefit a lot from the beet root. The juice of the beet root has been shown to lower blood pressure due to its nitrate levels. Aging people at the risk of dementia can slow its progression by consuming beet root juice.
The benefits of consuming beet root juice:
- Slows dementia by increasing brain oxygenation
- Regularizes digestion and helps maintain a healthy digestive tract
- Lowers blood pressure
The amount of nitrates in beet root juice opens up blood vessels, thus enabling blood to flow better. The increased blood flow brings more oxygen to the brain, thus slowing down the onset of dementia in older people. The nitrates also lower blood pressure, opening the possibility of it helping fight heart disease.
The taste of beet root may not be so pleasant at first, but its health benefits definitely have a lot going for it. Instead of resorting to multiple chemicals and medicines, one can simply consume beet root juice and gain the same benefits, if not more.