Beetroot is a unique vegetable, and it is impossible to replace it with any other in the diet. Its nutritional value is due to a unique set of elements. They are not subject to destruction during the preparation of the root crop. The healing properties of red beets have been known for a very long time and they do not cause absolutely no doubt. It is worth noting that this vegetable provides benefits in absolutely any form.
Composition and calorie content
According to many nutritionists, this is a low-calorie product of natural origin. Beets contain vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and proteins. There are very few fats in the product. The root crop has many different useful substances, namely:
- contains beets vitamins A, B, PP and C, folic acid;
- monosaccharides, amino acids, sugars, dietary fiber;
- organic acids, beta-carotene, fiber.
In addition, the vegetable has a lot of macro- and microelements, in particular, such as copper, sodium, iron, potassium, manganese, fluorine. A vegetable can accumulate sugar, dietary fiber and protein in pulp, as well as a small amount of ash and fat.
What is useful vegetable
The healing properties of red beets and its benefits for the body are due to the unique composition of the product. This vegetable has long been simply indispensable on the table for many people. Beetroot has a rather positive effect on pathologies of the gallbladder, liver, anemia, and anemia. It improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and the cardiovascular system, and also activates blood circulation.
Due to its high fiber content, this vegetable helps cleanse the intestines of toxins and toxins, destroys bacteria, and removes radionuclides. The greatest benefit is the consumption of this product in raw and baked form, and doctors recommend adding root vegetables to dishes and drinking freshly squeezed juice. The substances contained in root crops help get rid of constipation due to the mild laxative effect and fight the formation of hemorrhoids.
Raw beets
In medical and dietary nutrition, fresh vegetables bring great benefits. This is quite natural, since in raw red beets all minerals, vitamins and antioxidants are completely preserved unchanged.
The presence of betaine in a fresh product positively affects the functioning of the digestive tract and liver, contributes to the treatment of heart disease, and also has a general strengthening and anti-sclerotic effect. Raw vegetable activates the entire digestive tract, cleansing it of accumulated toxins and decay products.
It is best to consume beets, which are grown by a person on their own. However, if this is not possible, then when buying a vegetable, you need to take into account such rules as:
- avoid too large fruits due to the possible content of nitrates in them;
- do not purchase root crops grown with the addition of chemicals;
- Do not buy very small beets.
If there are light streaks on a section of a vegetable, then it is not recommended to eat it. You need to try to choose beets with a rich burgundy hue.
Boiled beets
Boiled, this vegetable is also useful, as well as raw. If you boil it in a peel, it fully retains all its useful qualities. But it’s not worth digesting it, since in this case all the useful substances will go into the water.
Boiled beets are good for people suffering from diseases of the digestive tract. Those who want to lose weight need to include the vegetable on the daily menu. From it you can cook various dishes, for example, salads.
Beetroot juice
Its calorie content is small, since there are only 42 kcal per 100 ml of product. Due to its rich composition, this product has a positive effect on almost all body functions, improving blood composition and preventing blood clots. In addition, root juice helps lower cholesterol. This has a positive effect on the state of the vessels. The beneficial properties of beetroot juice have been known since ancient times. It is used in the treatment of various diseases, in particular, such as:
- pancreatitis
- angina;
- anemia;
- runny nose;
- high blood pressure;
- high cholesterol;
- liver disease.
Beetroot juice is widely used in oncology, as it has a pronounced anti-cancer effect. With its regular use, it is possible to stop the development of malignant tumors at the earliest stages.
Beetroot juice is useful for men, as it increases stamina and helps relieve physical fatigue. This helps athletes, as well as men whose work is associated with heavy physical exertion.
This drink has a beneficial effect on sexual function. Red beet juice has been proven to help treat impotence. In addition, it is used as a good prophylactic.
The iron content in this vegetable makes it simply indispensable for heavy loss of blood during menstruation. Juice helps prevent the development of anemia. This vitamin drink is useful for pregnant women, as it helps to reduce the risk of rickets in the fetus. However, before using it, you need to consult a specialist regarding contraindications.
It is not recommended to consume beetroot juice while breastfeeding. This drink is considered heavy food for the baby's body. In addition, it can provoke a violation of the stool and an allergy in the baby, since its digestive system has not yet been fully formed.
Beetroot juice is very useful for children, as it increases the level of hemoglobin. It is important to introduce this drink into the baby’s nutrition and in the required amount. Otherwise, it can harm the children's body. This is a natural energetic that increases stamina and gives strength. Do not consume it for children prone to gas, diarrhea, allergies, kidney disease.
Among the main advantages of consumption of beet juice, it is necessary to highlight such as:
- reduced risk of strokes and heart attacks;
- memory improvement;
- cleaning of the liver and blood vessels;
- normalization of sleep;
- elimination of depression;
- improving the functioning of the digestive tract.
With pancreatitis, beet juice should be drunk very carefully. In the stage of exacerbation of the disease, its consumption is strictly contraindicated. Oxalic acid negatively affects the functioning of the pancreas, stimulates the production of gastric juice and provokes a drop in pressure. You can consume this healing drink only in the stage of stable remission, after consulting with your doctor.
Pressure beets are recommended by many doctors. However, you need to drink beetroot juice, taking special care, since the consumption of a large amount of this drink can provoke a sharp drop in pressure, up to a loss of consciousness.
Beet juice from pressure helps well even with constant hypertension. Regular consumption of the drink helps to dilate blood vessels and get rid of cholesterol plaques.
Healing properties
This vegetable is very useful for chronic constipation. Thanks to organic acids, fiber and many other elements, beets normalize all metabolic processes, and also helps cleanse the body. It helps eliminate putrefactive bacteria.
Beets are very useful in that they contain the substance betaine, which regulates lipid metabolism, and prevents the increase in pressure. That is why it is recommended to consume vegetables for liver diseases and obesity. Since magnesium is contained in this vegetable, it contributes to the treatment of hypertension and atherosclerosis.
Beetroot has laxative and diuretic effects, anesthetizes, eliminates inflammation, promotes faster recovery, helps to cope with depression and is considered an excellent remedy for a hangover.
It is very useful for normalizing blood formation processes. People who have this vegetable in their diet rarely suffer from anemia.
Beets are simply necessary for pregnant women. It includes folic acid, which is simply necessary at the planning stage of the child and at the very beginning of pregnancy, since without it the healthy nervous system of the fetus does not form normally. In addition, while carrying a baby, a woman often encounters constipation.
The root crop has a large amount of iodine, which makes beets simply irreplaceable for iodine deficiency diseases of the thyroid gland. In addition, it is useful for older people suffering from atherosclerosis.
Thanks to the healing properties of red beets, it is possible to significantly increase the protective functions of the body, which is why it is absolutely necessary to include this vegetable in the child’s diet, especially in the season of colds. However, it is worth remembering that it is important for small children to give beets only in boiled form.
Traditional medicine recipes
Knowing how to use beets and apply it in traditional medicine, you can achieve a positive result and quickly get rid of various diseases. With hypertension, add 1 tsp to freshly squeezed juice. honey. Drink ¼ Art. before eating food. Beet kvass also helps very well, which can be easily cooked on its own.
With constipation, you can consume beets in various forms, add them to dishes, as well as drink juice and broth from this root crop. With very severe constipation, the decoction should be used in the form of an enema. This vegetable is part of many dietary foods that are prescribed in the treatment of tuberculosis.
With a cold, it is recommended to instill in the nasal passages 2-3 drops of freshly squeezed beet juice 3 times a day. This root crop is used in folk medicine externally. When treating ulcers and fissures, it is made from gruel and applied to the affected areas. Change the bandage as it dries. Beetroot also helps with teenage acne instead of a mask.
For weight loss, grate the vegetable and squeeze the juice. Let him stand and drink after dinner. Then quickly swallow 3 tbsp. l the remaining pulp, trying not to wet it with saliva. This tool helps to cleanse toxic compounds, substances that provoke the growth of tumors and decay products. Squeezes from beets help control and suppress hunger, which is very important when dieting.
The use of freshly squeezed juice contributes not only to weight loss, but also helps to establish the work of all internal organs. However, it is necessary to consume it correctly, as it has certain contraindications for use. Nausea, headache, and digestion can occur.
To prevent the occurrence of negative symptoms, you need to dilute the drink with pumpkin or carrot juice, water. While dieting, you can also consume baked, boiled and raw beets. It is best to season the salad with vegetable oil.
In case of anemia, prepare carrot, beet and radish juice. Then combine all three species in equal proportions. The resulting tool to drink 1-2 tbsp. l before eating food. The therapeutic course should last several months.
Magnesium, which is part of this vegetable, helps fight hypertension. With increased pressure, you need to mix honey and red beet juice in equal amounts. Ready drink should be drunk at 0.5 tbsp. twice a day. This tool helps to quickly normalize pressure.
With pharyngitis and tonsillitis, beetroot juice can be used to gargle 6-7 times daily. To treat mastopathy, fibroadenomas and fibromyomas, you need to clean the raw root crop, put it in water for 2-4 hours, constantly changing it. Grate the vegetable with the peel on a fine grater, squeeze the juice. Use the remaining cake in the form of a compress on the chest and lower abdomen. Leave it all night. In the morning, remove this mass and put in the refrigerator. It can be used 2 more times. The next night, repeat the procedure, and then take a break for the day. The entire course of therapy should last 20 nights. Take a break for a month and repeat the course. With otitis media or deafness, instill 3 drops of boiled beet juice in each ear.
Cooking Application
From beets, you can cook many different dishes and drinks. They have a positive effect on the body. Boiled beets with garlic are not only tasty, but also healthy. This salad has a positive effect on all organs, prevents the development of cancer, and also strengthens the immune system. This will require:
- 1 small beetroot;
- 1-2 cloves of garlic;
- salt, sunflower oil.
Cook the beets and grate. Peel and chop the garlic. Mix everything well, add salt to taste and season with vegetable oil.
A combination of beets with carrots is very beneficial for health. Regular consumption of such a dish has a positive effect on the state of vision and blood. You will need ingredients such as:
- 1 medium-sized beet;
- 2 medium-sized carrots;
- coriander, allspice, salt;
- vegetable oil, mustard, vinegar;
- garlic.
Grate raw carrots and beets on a Korean carrot grater. Mix the spices and add oil. Mix everything thoroughly and put on a dish.
It cleanses the liver well and helps to cope with the diseases of this organ a decoction of red beets. Moreover, it helps even with problems such as stones and hepatitis. For its preparation, a medium-sized root crop and 3 liters of water will be required. The vegetable must be washed well, put in a pan and pour water. Cook until approximately 0.5 L of liquid remains in the pan. Get the root crop, rub on the finest grater, transfer back to the pan and boil for another 20 minutes. Then filter the mixture, drink during the day 200 g every 4 hours.
Since ancient times, kvass has been prepared from this vegetable. He fights well with hypertension and various digestive disorders. You need to peel the beets, cut into large pieces and pour water. To prepare a drink, use glass or enameled glassware. Put in a dark place for 5-7 days. During this time, the drink will acquire a bright color and will stretch slightly. You can drink it in its pure form or diluting it with water.
Most dishes are cooked from boiled root vegetables, but they can also be baked. According to nutritionists, in this form, the vegetable retains more nutrients. Not everyone knows how to bake beets correctly, but to do this is quite simple. Baked vegetable is considered a very good side dish for meat dishes. A big plus is the saving of time and energy, since you do not have to wash the pan after cooking the root crop.
There are several options for baking beets in the oven. Take a medium-sized root crop, wash it thoroughly under running water, wipe with a paper towel. Then put the vegetable on the middle wire rack in the oven, preheated to 170 degrees. Cook for 50 minutes. This is the easiest way to bake whole beets.
To prepare the root crop, you can use foil. To do this, tightly wrap the beets in it, put on a baking sheet, on the bottom of which pour 1 tbsp. water. The temperature in the oven should be 170-180 degrees. A small vegetable will be ready in 40-45 minutes. This is a pretty convenient way to bake whole beets in the oven. It turns out very healthy and tasty.
Many are interested in how to bake beets very quickly. To do this, you can use the baking sleeve. Put the vegetable in the sleeve, tie it so that there is no air left, and cook for 35-40 minutes at a temperature of 180-190 degrees.
Delicious prune salad with beets. To prepare it, you need to take:
- 1 baked beets;
- 30 g peeled nuts;
- 50 g of prunes;
- 2 cloves of garlic;
- salt, pepper, mayonnaise.
Rub the finished beets on a coarse grater. Rinse the prunes with boiling water, and finely chop together with walnuts. Mix everything, add salt and pepper, season with mayonnaise.
You can also chop the baked beets with apples, add chopped walnuts, salt and season with sour cream. It will turn out a delicious and healthy salad.
Proper cooking of beets is very important. It is important not to digest the root crop in order to preserve all the useful components in it. After cooking beets, the water needs to be drained and the vegetable cooled.
Beet Harm
The harm from the root crop is expressed in the fact that it can provoke diarrhea in people with pathologies of the digestive tract. The juice of fresh beets on an empty stomach is very harmful due to the nitrates that may be present in the vegetable.
In addition, it can provoke the development of gastritis in people with high acidity of the stomach. Before including this product in a diet, prior consultation with a gastroenterologist and nutritionist is required. Only a specialist will be able to assess the benefits and harms of the root crop, taking into account the health status of each patient.
Contraindications
Despite all the healing properties of red beets, it still has certain limitations on its use. They are also due to the chemical composition of the root crop. The main contraindications include:
- osteoporosis;
- urolithiasis disease;
- diabetes;
- chronic diarrhea.
It is not recommended to consume this vegetable with osteoporosis and predisposition to it. This is due to the fact that the root crop interferes with the absorption of calcium. Because it is sweet, red beets in diabetes are limited to consumption.
Vegetable is contraindicated in urolithiasis, as it contains oxalic acid. Beetroot has a pronounced laxative effect, so it is not recommended for chronic diarrhea.