Beets detox your liver and kidneys
If you want to get rid of toxins from your liver, you should consume beetroot regularly. This can help to keep both your liver and kidneys working well and in good health. The beneficial effect of beets on liver and kidney health is thanks to the way betaine detoxifies these organs.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that extracts of beetroot help to prevent fat accumulating in the liver and reduces oxidative stress.Other studies have found that beets have the power to prevent kidney damage and get rid of free radicals that can cause kidney disease.
Read my article how to detox your liver with a super beet smoothie. You can also find out more information on how to strengthen your liver and how to improve your kidneys health.
Beets can improve cognitive performance
The nitrate content of beets can help to improve brain function and improve memory. Nitrate helps to increase blood flow to the brain which can help to boost your cognitive performance.
For example, researchers have found that increasing beet intake in diet can help to improve memory and mind tasks in older adults. The study found that beets actually stimulated blood flow to the specific areas of the brain where it was needed the most.
When taken along with SAMe (S-adenosyl-methionine), beets can also help naturally balance the levels of dopamine in the brain which can help to reduce the symptoms of depression.
The antioxidant properties of beets can also help to prevent Parkinson’s disease due to the increase of dopamine that beets provide.
Beets help prevent dementia
Another health benefit of eating more beets is that they can help to prevent the onset of dementia. As mentioned in the previous section, beets increase the flow of blood to the brain and improve brain function.
Doctors from WebMD say that a study into the effect of beets on brain health has found that beet juice could help fight the progression of dementia.The study, published by the Wake Forest University found that after four days of drinking beetroot juice, MRI scans showed that there was more blood flow in the area of the brain that is connected with dementia and other cognitive conditions.
Beetroot can help prevent cancer
There are some promising studies showing that beet extracts have an anti-cancer effect and can help to prevent certain cancers from developing. Researchers have said that “ingesting beetroot is a useful means to prevent cancer.”
Side Effects of Eating Beets
One of the most noticeable side effects of consuming more beets in your diet is that they can turn your stool and urine pink or red (medically called beeturia). There is a lot that the color of your stool can tell about your health, but pinkish stool or urine due to eating beets is not something to be worried about.
Doctors from the NHS in the United Kingdom say that some foods, including beets, prevent calcium being absorbed into your body. This can cause kidney stones to form due to the buildup of calcium in your kidneys.
Eating beets regularly in your diet could also be one of the reasons for your teeth turning yellow.
Tips on Storing and Cooking Beets
Beets can be stored through the winter if they are in a cool dark place that is slightly humid. If stored in warm dry places, beets will tend to sprout and shrivel up.
You can also store beets by freezing them. Before freezing beets, you have to cook them until tender. Then chop or slice the beets and store in the freezer.
According to The World’s Healthiest Foods, beets can lose their health benefits if cooked for too long. They recommend cutting medium-sized beets into quarters, leave the skin on, and then steaming them for 15 minutes. You can roast beets for up to one hour in the oven.
Alternatively, you can make a delicious traditional Russian soup called borscht. This combines beets, onions, red cabbage and parsley in a broth. This way, you can create a delicious meal that uses all the health benefits of beets.
Super Anti Inflammatory Beet And Ginger Juice
You can boost the anti-inflammatory power of beets by making a beet and ginger juice. Ginger is also known to reduce inflammation in the body and is great for keeping your digestive system healthy. This beet juice recipe can help to reduce the painful symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
As mentioned previously, beets contain a high proportion of phytonutrients, such as betanin, isobetanin, and vulgaxanthin that act in an anti-inflammatory way. These are all betalains – red and yellow pigments that give beets their distinct color.
In addition, beets are also a source of betaine, which is made from choline – B-complex vitamin. Choline plays an important role in regulating inflammation and lowers non-inflammatory markers, including some connected to cancer.
If you cook beets for a prolonged amount of time, betalains get destroyed. It is recommended to keep beet steaming times to 15 minutes or less, and roasting times under an hour. Remember that consumption of beets can color your urine red or pink. This is known as beeturia and is usually a normal reaction to eating beets.
Ginger contains strong anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols, which are particularly good for dealing with muscle and arthritis-related pain. Gingerols are chemically related to capsaicin and piperine, which give chili peppers and black pepper their respective spicy kick and healing potential. Ginger is also one of the ingredients in my anti-inflammatory turmeric ginger tea.
Ginger has been studied in relation to its effects on the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Patients reported that regular consumption gradually reduced pain and swelling, and improved the range of movement in the affected joints.
Ginger is also great for gastro-intestinal problems, helps with nausea and is a natural treatment for colds and respiratory complaints. It can be eaten fresh, cooked or as a powder. During the dehydration process, gingerols transform into shogaols that are twice as spicy as gingerols, so when ginger is dried, it becomes more pungent.
Beet & Ginger Anti-Inflammatory Juice
Ingredients (use organic if possible):
3 kale leaves
1 medium orange, peeled and cut
1 medium apple, remove the seeds and cut into wedges
1 carrot, peeled and cut
1 medium beet, peeled and cut into wedges
1 knob of fresh ginger (about 1 inch long), peeled
Directions
Wash the produce and peel if needed.
Process the ingredients through a juicer in manageable chunks. Start with the orange and continue with kale, apple, carrot, beet and ginger.
Put your juice into glasses and serve immediately for best nutritional benefit.
How to Ferment Beets
Ingredients:
2 washed, quartered, and sliced beets
3 Tbsp. salt
Water as needed
Instructions:
Add the beets to a quart jar
Combine salt with 2 cups water. Pour the salty water over the beets, leaving 1-2 inches of headspace (just covering the vegetables). Weigh down as needed.
Cover the jar with a lid and an airlock, if using. If you are not using an airlock be sure to open the jars slightly every day to release pent-up gases
Allow to ferment at a cool room temperature for 3-12 days, depending on preference. Longer is usually better, especially for tough root vegetables.
Transfer to cold storage.
Comments: If you notice froth, scum or mold on top of the beetroots, remove it with a spoon.
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