Beets contain a substantial amount of carbohydrates that provide our bodies with fuel for energy and extended sports activities. They also contain calcium, iron, magnesium, phosperous, and sodium. Beets are classified as a fiber food and help to reduce serum cholesterol by as much as 40 percent. They also contain vitamins A and C along with niacin.
These vegetables contain folic acid which is very important for pregnant women as it is necessary for the development of an infant's spinal column and also serves as maintenance of new cells. Folic acid is also needed for patients going through a physical healing. Eating beets is far healthier than taking an over-the-counter herbal supplement. It is much better for our bodies to receive vitamins and nutrients through our food than with a supplement, they will reach the bloodstream much faster.
There have been studies made that show beets guard against cancer such as colon cancer. The beet root is also a traditional approach for the treatment of leukemia. This approach is a red beet therapy which consists of consuming about 2 pounds of raw mashed beets daily that has had favorable reports for the treatment of leukemia and tumors. There have been medical studies that have shown by including beets in the diet can help protect your body against heart disease, reduce blood pressure, and help to prevent varicose veins.
You can eat beets raw, or they can be boiled, steamed, roasted, or sauteed. Raw beets can also be juiced but they are considered to be very powerful. If you want to get naturally high without drinking alcohol, have a glass of
beet juice. To prevent a natural high mix your beet juice with carrot juice or apple juice; you will still receive all the health benefits. When you start consuming red beets on a daily basis you will probably notice a red color to your stools or urine, this is very common and is nothing to worry about, it is just the coloring from the beets.
During Roman times Hippocrates was known for using the leaves of raw beets as binding for wound healing. They can be eaten raw and have been known to counteract "garlic" breath. These leaves can also be cooked like spinach and are rich in
beta-carotene, chlorophyll, folic acid, potassium, iron and Vitamin C.
Betacyanin is the pigment in beets that gives it that red color; this is what helps in the fight against cancer. This pigment is absorbed into the corpuscles of our blood and increases oxygen carrying ability of our blood. Beets have been known in helping cleanse the blood, the colon and strengthen the liver and gall bladder.
Beets make a healhful garnish for meal presentation because of their colorful and bright red color. They also can be added to any cold salad for the out of the ordinary meal. When you grow your own
beets in the garden and the plants are still young and the leaves are tender these beet greens are wonderful in a salad. When the plants get older the greens are better cooked as you would spinach. The roots can be cooked fresh out of the garden; they can be pickled, canned or stored in a cool area for winter use.
