You Can't Beat Beets

Whether you choose to roast, bake, saute, steam, or eat raw, beets are as versatile as their shape. They're becoming more popular than ever before and they're not just for adding to your salad.

Beets or beetroots, as they are most often called, belong to the Chenopodiaceousfamily. Although beets have a high sugar content than most vegetables, you can safely eat beet roots a few times a week and their greens in unlimited quantities. This way you can enjoy not only their earthy, sweet flavor, but also their power-pack nutrients that may help improve your health in the following ways.

Here are 7 health benefits of eating beets. 

1. Hello, Fiber. Beets are rich in fiber and nutrients. The fiber keeps you fuller longer and they're also full of immune-boosting vitamin C, manganese and potassium. 

2. Fight Cancer: The crimson color you see on beets are due to the powerful phytonutrients, which help prevent cancer. Studies have also shown that beetroot extract ca be used for the treatment of breast, pancreatic and even prostate cancer. 

3. Detox: They also support detoxification and purification of the liver and blood. The betalin pigments in beets that support your body's Phase 2 detoxification process, ridding the body of harmful toxins.

4. Low Cal: Beets by nature are very low in calories...try not to add to many additive to them to maximize the most benefits. They provide approximately 45 cal/100gram servings. They have little fat and zero cholesterol. 

5. High in antioxidants: We know these powerful properties are cancer fighting and just overall great for the body. They help to rid the body of harmful toxins as well.

6. Reduce blood pressure: Nitrates in beets help lower blood pressure. Studies show that drinking one glass of beet juice helps lower systolic blood. This is due to nitrates converting to nitric oxide in the body. 

7. Fight inflammation: Another nutrient found in beets is betaine that protects proteins, cells and enzymes from environmental factors like lifestyle, unhealthy eating, pollutants and others. This nutrient also helps fight inflammation, improve cardiovascular risk factors, and prevents other chronic diseases.