The beet it is a root with an intense red color, whose sweet flavor is highly appreciated in the kitchen. A truly delicious juice can be extracted from it, which is also rich in beneficial properties for our health: it has a nutritional profile that reveals the presence of many basic substances for the proper functioning of the organism.
Low in calories and nearly fat-free, beet juice is a great choice for dieters. It is also a good source of fiber, which helps to increase the sense of satiety and to promote intestinal transit, deflating the belly. Over the last few years, numerous studies have been conducted on the therapeutic virtues of this drink, with really interesting results. In particular, many of its benefits seem to be linked to the presence of nitrates.
A research published in the official journal of the Nitric Oxide Society, for example, highlighted how these substances are capable of increase blood flow to the brain, thus slowing cognitive decline in older people. While further clinical trials proved their effectiveness in improving the physical endurance and muscle power: these results seem to pave the way for new studies in the sports field.
Beet juice is also a good for the heart, again thanks to the presence of nitrates. These compounds turn into nitric oxide, helping to decrease the stiffness of the arteries and to promote vasodilation: the effects on blood pressure they are evident. Furthermore the drink is rich in potassium, one of the most important minerals for cardiovascular health.
According to a study published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, Even the betalaine have a beneficial impact on our body. We are talking about important antioxidants responsible for the red color of beets, which have been shown chemopreventive properties thanks to a mechanism of action aimed at destroying cancer cells.
There are actually many antioxidants present in beet juice: these substances counteract the formation of free radicals and reduce the risk of onset of many chronic diseases. In this perspective, the flavonoids, which in an in vitro study proved to be excellent for decreasing the level of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood, while increasing the so-called “Good cholesterol”.
Still, this drink provides good amounts of vitamins of group B, in particular of folate: they are essential for the proper development of the nervous system and prevent the onset of neural tube defects in the fetus (causing problems such as anencephaly and spina bifida).
It is good not to overdo the consumption of beet juice in the case of gastroesophageal reflux, because it stimulates the production of gastric juices and can worsen the symptoms of the disease. It is also not recommended for use in subjects suffering from kidney stones: This drink is rich in calcium oxalates, which can cause the formation of crystals in the kidneys.
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