Beets often don’t get the respect they deserve. Maybe it’s because they mainly grow underground. But if you watch the video we’ve posted below, you’ll gain a new respect for this humble vegetable and will most likely want to make beets part of your diet.
In the Middle Ages, beets were believed to have medicinal properties. That might sound crazy, but it turns out those Medieval doctors were actually on to something. Beets are an extremely healthy food. They’re jam packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents like betaine (which is good for heart health). Beets are also chock full of vitamins and minerals like iron, potassium, manganese, vitamin C, and a number of B vitamins! In particular, beets are a rich source of folate. Additionally, beets get their red color from anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid believed to have strong cancer prevention properties. The benefits of beets don’t end there. They also help regulate cholesterol and promote healthy liver function. They can help your body get rid of toxins and perhaps even slow down the aging process. And the pectin in beets is great for digestion. Beet leaves are healthy, too, and loaded with even more potassium.
Beets can be eaten raw, cooked, turned into juice, or served as a condiment. Beets are most often associated with Eastern European cuisine, and especially with borscht, a beet soup popular throughout the region. But beets span the world, eaten in such far-flung places as India, Australia (as part of the famous “Aussie burger”), and the Americas. Beets have also been used to produce food coloring and in the 19th century they were even used to color wine!
Beets are so good, they can be called nature’s candy!
Are you a fan of beets? We’d love to hear from you in the Facebook comments. Don’t forget to like and share so your friends don’t miss out on this delicious, super-healthy and versatile food.
