Health Benefits of Beets

Please tell us that y’all are eating and growing beets because if you’re not, then you are missing OUT.

Honestly, there is nothing like a fresh beet.  I’ve heard horror stories about canned beets…. if that is all you’ve ever had, then you need to try again with the fresh stuff.

And might I add that they are best when roasted?  Forget all that boiling nonsense!

They can also do AMAZING things for your health.  Just check out some of the health benefits below, which isn’t a complete list, but it is still impressive. If you’d like to learn more about the health benefits of eating beets, you will find a find a plethora of information online.

    1. Beets have an abundance of dietary nitrites which are converted into nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide is what helps blood vessels relax and dilate which lowers blood pressure and helps prevent hypertension.
    2. Beets contain a good bit of fiber and antioxidants which help the body flus out toxic substances meaning your digestive health will run at its best.
    3. As stated above, beets have nitrites. Not only are they important for blood vessel health, they increase oxidation of the somatomotor cortex of the brain. This are is often affected in early stage dementia. A Journals of Gerontology study confirms that beetroot juice, along with exercise, can have a positive impact on older adults.
    4. Beets can help prevent lung, skin, and colon cancer according to a study by Elsevier’s Cancer Letters journal.
    5. If you’re trying to lose weight, adding beets to your diet can help. They are packed with fiber and nutrients like magnesium and potassium which flush excess water and helps detoxify your system.
    6. Beets contain betaines which stimulate the liver’s function and help keep it healthy. A water-soluble fiber called pectin, also found in beets, helps flush toxins out of the liver.
    7. Beets also contain a significant amount of the mineral boron which is needed to produce sex hormones. If you add beets to your diet, you may see a boost in your libido, improved sperm motility in men, and increased fertility in women.
    8. Beets are a great source of the vitamin folate (a B-vitamin) which is why doctors recommend that pregnant women eat them. Folate helps the infant’s spinal column develop.
    9. Beta-carotene, a form of Vitamin A, is also found in beets. Beta-carotene helps prevent cataracts which can lead to age-related blindness.
    10. Beets also contain a good amount of B-complex, Vitamin C, and antioxidants which can help boost your immunity level to fight colds and fevers. They also help soothe minor aches and pains, prevent fatigue, and reduce inflammation.

If you’re not eating beets, you’ll want to start, right? And you can grow them, too.

For most of the United States, we’re coming up on beet season (though it has long been beet season in the desert southwest.)  Beets will germinate in cool soil but prefer soil that is above 50 degrees.

When planting beet seeds, plant them about 1/2 inch into the soil.  Each beet seed actually continues 2-3 seeds, so thinning is going to be necessary no matter how closely or far apart you plant your seeds.  Beets grow best when the air temperature is around 65 degrees, on average.

Need some recipes for beets?  Here are some from the internet that might appeal to you:

What to Do with Beets from Traditional Cooking School by GNOWFGLINS 

Beet Hummus from Simply Recipes

Roasted Beet and Carrot Salad from The Organic Kitchen

Triple Beet Salad with Basil and Olive Oil from Nourished Kitchen

Beet Kvass from Wellness Mama

Now get out there and EAT YOUR BEETS!