The health benefits of beets are wide ranging. Like most other plant-based foods, beets are high in nutrients yet low in calories. Their antioxidants also offer additional benefits, such as reduced risk of cellular damage.
Generally speaking, beets are among the group of vegetables and fruits that may help reduce your risk for chronic illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and dementia. (7,8)
Antioxidants give vegetables like beets their bright, vibrant colors, and in the case of this food, that color is bright red. As a general rule of thumb, the more bright-colored plant foods you include in your diet, the more antioxidants you’ll consume. Even beet greens contain beta-carotene, which is also found in carrots, spinach, and broccoli. Eating more antioxidants may help reduce your risk for some cancers. (9)
The nitrate content of beets may also play an important role in blood pressure regulation. A2019 studyand2013 reviewboth found that beetroot juice decreased participants’ blood pressure. (10) This is because nitrates widen the blood vessels to improve blood flow, according to theTexas Heart Institute.
As with other plant foods, researchers have studied beets for their potential effects on inflammation. One review found beetroot supplements to have anti-inflammatory effects that could help reduce the risk for heart disease, cognitive decline, and oxidative stress from free radicals, which is linked to many chronic diseases. (11)
In another study, anemic adolescent girls in India who drank beetroot juice saw improved levels of the protein hemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. A person with anemia has low red blood cell or hemoglobin levels. (12)
Still, more research is needed to understand how beets in supplemental form affect human health.
Beets have a historical reputation as an aphrodisiac. In ancient Greek tradition, the goddess of love, Aphrodite, was said to have eaten beets to make herself more attractive.
While eating beets alone won’t make you more attractive, this myth may indeed stem from those nutrients in beets that can make you feel better and possibly increase your libido. These include betaine, boron, and tryptophan. (1)
FAQs
Beetroot Benefits
What is the best way to eat beets for nutrition? ›
Eating beets raw or juicing and roasting them may be more beneficial than boiling them. Beetroots, commonly known as beets, are a vibrant and versatile type of vegetable. They're known for their earthy flavor and aroma. Many people call them a superfood because of their rich nutritional profile.
What happens to your body when you eat beets everyday? ›
Beets may help reduce the risk of chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and dementia. They are high in antioxidants, which can reduce the risk of cellular damage and some cancers. The nitrate content in beets may also help regulate blood pressure and have anti-inflammatory effects.
How many beets should I eat a day? ›
The oxalates found in beets can increase your uric acid level, meaning that too many beets can lead to gout. To avoid this, stick to no more than a single half-cup serving of beets per day.
What time of day should you eat beets? ›
Hello user, you should consume in the daytime or after the lunch. Avoid taking it after dinner as beetroot has lot of calories. For daily consumption, one cup of beets is sufficient that amounts 136 gram. If you like beetroot juice, take 200 ml per day.
Which way is the best way to eat beets? ›
You can use cooked beets in salads, to make hummus or to blend into smoothies. They can be diced for slaw, quartered for a grain bowl or mashed to make a dip or spread. Their thick and chewy texture is even great in a galette or quesadilla.
Is it healthier to drink beet juice or eat beets? ›
Both eating beets and drinking beet juice will give you anti-inflammatory betalains and other phytonutrients. If you're looking to enhance athletic performance, drink up. Juicing beets delivers a concentrated dose of nitrates, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. However, you lose the fiber when you juice the beets.
Is it better to eat beets raw or cooked? ›
Raw or Cooked? Cooked. Low in calories and high in nutrients, cooked beets reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Benefits: Naturally occurring compounds in beets improve blood flow, help keep arteries healthy and reduce LDL cholesterol (the 'bad' kind).
How soon after eating beets is urine red? ›
The urine color change may appear in the first few hours after drinking something containing beetroot. It may continue for a day or two after eating the coloring, especially in the stool.
Are beets good for the kidneys? ›
Is beet juice always bad for kidneys? Actually, it's not. Unless a person is at risk for kidney stones, beets may be key to reducing the risk of renal (kidney) failure during and after a heart x-ray. Coronary angiography is a specialized test allowing doctors to view the heart's blood vessels in action.
A doctor can advise on whether drinking beet juice alongside taking medications to lower blood pressure may lower a person's blood pressure too much. If this occurs, the individual may experience symptoms such as : dizziness or lightheadedness. blurry vision.
Do beets help you sleep? ›
It is the high content of nitrate in the beetroot that is the key to better sleep. After consuming, this is converted to Nitric Oxide in the blood system. Nitric Oxide is essential for a number of physiological processes that take place in the body.
Are beets too high in sugar? ›
Moreover, beets are low in calories with zero cholesterol and a small amount of fat. However, the root is high in sugar and carbohydrates, so while you can consume the greens on top of the root in unlimited quantities, you should only have the root a few times a week. Beets are best from early spring to late fall.
Are beets healthier raw or cooked? ›
Cooking beets won't give you the same health benefits because heat destroys betalain pigments and hampers nitrates, but it's still good for your health. To preserve the maximum health benefits, grate raw beets into salads or steam/roast beets just long enough to tenderize them.
What is the best way to get the benefits of beets? ›
Health benefits of beets include more stamina during exercise, heart disease and stroke prevention, and lower blood pressure. You can roast, grate, or put them into soups and salads. If you're prone to kidney stones or gout, avoid beets or limit how much you eat.
How do you cook beets without losing nutrients? ›
The best way to cook beets to retain nutrients is to steam them. Steaming beets for no longer than 15 minutes is recommended. If you have a steamer, steam them until you can easily insert the tip of a fork into the beets.
How do you cook beets for maximum benefits? ›
Steaming in the oven rather than baking helps preserve more of the healthy vitamins and minerals in beets. This method also helps beets better retain their beautiful, vibrant color. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place prepped beets and 3 tablespoons to ¼ cup water in a shallow baking dish.
