Health Benefits of Beetroot That Will Surprise You

Health Benefits of Beetroot That Will Surprise You Packed with nutrition, beets have antioxidants like betalains that fight cell damage and inflammation, potentially offering protection against cancer and heart disease. Health benefits of beets include more stamina during exercise, heart disease and stroke prevention, and lower blood pressure. What is beetroot? Belonging to the same family as chard and spinach, both the leaves and root of beetroot may be eaten – the leaves having a bitter taste whereas the root is sweet. Although they are available all year round, beets are sweetest and most tender during their peak season, which in the UK is from June to October. While heirloom varieties such as white and yellow beets make for pretty dishes, only red beets have the cancer-fighting compound betacyanin. Rich in protective antioxidants May have anti-cancer properties May have anti-inflammatory properties May lower blood pressure and heart disease risk May improve exercise performance and support energy levels May improve digestive health May protect the gut May support brain health and reaction time May be a useful addition to a post-menopause diet May relieve symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon.