When we think of vegetables, the first things that come to mind are often leafy greens like cabbages, kale, spinach or broccoli. While leafy greens are indeed nutritious and full of health benefits, when planning your meals, you should also give some thought to other kinds of vegetables, such as root vegetables.
Unlike leafy greens, root vegetables are crops that grow underground. Some of the most popular root crops are carrots, onions, garlic, radishes, turnips, sweet potatoes and beets. Although botanists further classify them into taproots (carrots, turnips, radishes, beetroot), tubers (sweet potatoes) and bulbs (onions, garlic), all of them are generally considered root vegetables. [1]
What makes root vegetables great additions to a healthy diet is that they are incredibly nutrient-dense. Taproots like carrots and beets, in particular, not only help anchor plants deep underground, but they are also often modified as food storage. [2] Because taproots grow deep into the soil, they are able to absorb water and nutrients, which they store for later use during photosynthesis. [3]
According to chemical analysis, root vegetables like taproots are rich in fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, water and carbohydrates, making them exceptionally satiating, energy-giving foods. They are also naturally low in fat and can last for months when stored properly. [4] But what makes taproots extra special and so good for your health is their abundance of potent phytonutrients.
If you’ll notice, taproots are some of the most colorful root vegetables you can find, as they come in different varieties and hues. Carrots, for example, apart from the usual orange, can also be white, yellow, red, magenta or purple. [5] Similarly, beetroot comes not just in ruby-red but also in white, gold, pink and even candy-striped varieties. [6]
The vibrant hues of these taproots are thanks to plant compounds like anthocyanins, beta-carotene and betalains, which are naturally occurring pigments with health-supporting properties. Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants that exist as blue, red and purple pigments. Many superfoods, like blueberries, red grapes, pomegranates and red cabbage, owe their vibrant colors and beneficial properties to anthocyanins. [7][8]
Beta-carotene, meanwhile, is known for giving plants their yellow or red-orange color. This carotenoid also serves as an antioxidant and a precursor to vitamin A in the human body. [9] Betalains, on the other hand, are responsible for the red-violet (betacyanins) or yellow (betaxanthins) color of some fruits and vegetables. [10] Like beta-carotene, betalains are potent antioxidants that also offer amazing heart benefits. [11]
According to research, there are only a few dietary sources of betalains. Some of the most well-known are beetroot, grainy or leafy amaranth, dragon fruit (red pitaya) and colored Swiss chard. Among these, red beetroot is considered one of the most reliable betalain sources. But that’s not all this root vegetable has to offer: On top of antioxidant pigments, beetroot is also a rich source of essential nutrients and other health-supporting phytonutrients. [12]
Organic Beetroot is a nutrient powerhouse
Beetroot refers to the taproot portion of the Beta vulgaris plant. A flowering plant from the Amaranth family, this crop is widely cultivated for its thick, fleshy root, which is usually purplish-red in color. [13] Beets are a great garden vegetable to grow because they are frost-hardy and their taproot makes a versatile culinary ingredient. [14] You can eat the tops, too.
If you’re considering including beetroot in your diet, try adding it to salads, healthy dips like hummus or your favorite smoothies. [15] Beetroot is a nutritious addition to any recipe and offers plenty of health benefits. Research has found that physically active individuals will also benefit from drinking organic beetroot juice prior to their training or workout. [16]
Here’s a list of essential nutrients that you can get from a one-cup serving (136 grams, g) of raw, organic beetroots: [17]
- Dietary fiber, 14% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin B1 (thiamin), 4% of the DV
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), 4% of the DV
- Vitamin B3 (niacin), 3% of the DV
- Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), 4% of the DV
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), 5% of the DV
- Vitamin B9 (folate), 37% of the DV
- Vitamin C, 7% of the DV
- Calcium, 2% of the DV
- Copper, 11% of the DV
- Iron, 6% of the DV
- Magnesium, 7% of the DV
- Manganese, 19% of the DV
- Phosphorus, 4% of the DV
- Potassium, 9% of the DV
- Selenium, 2% of the DV
- Sodium, 5% of the DV
- Zinc, 4% of the DV
The same serving of organic beetroot also provides 4% of the DV for protein and the following amino acids:
- Histidine, 3% of the DV
- Isoleucine, 4% of the DV
- Leucine, 3% of the DV
- Lysine, 3% of the DV
- Threonine, 4% of the DV
- Tryptophan, 6% of the DV
- Valine, 4% of the DV
- Phenylalanine and Tyrosine, 4% of the DV
- Methionine and Cysteine, 2% of the DV
In addition to these nutrients, you can also get a variety of beneficial phytonutrients from organic beetroot, such as beta-carotene, choline, betaine, betanin (a betacyanin), plant sterols (phytosterols) and inorganic nitrates. Getting these phytonutrients is one of the best parts of consuming organic beetroot because these bioactive compounds are behind some of the root vegetable’s amazing health benefits.
9 Reasons to add Organic Beetroot Juice to your daily routine*
Drinking beet juice is the easiest way to enjoy organic beetroot’s many health-supporting properties. Although available all year round, beetroots can also be purchased in convenient powder form from most health stores. You can easily add beetroot juice powder to a glass of water for a refreshing, energizing drink or mix it into your favorite shakes or smoothies to boost your nutrient uptake.
Incorporating organic beetroot juice into your daily routine is one of the best decisions you can ever make nutrition-wise as it is loaded with many of the essential components of a good diet. And to top it off, regular consumption of beetroot juice has been proven by studies to provide the following benefits:
- Supports a healthy heart – Beetroot juice is rich in phytonutrients that can support a healthy heart. Phytosterols are naturally occurring compounds found in the cell membranes of plants. Their presence allows beetroot juice to support healthy blood cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range. [18] At the same time, betanin, a betalain and the primary plant pigment in beetroot, can support healthy blood vessels through its antioxidant activities. According to a study published in the journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, betanin is an excellent free radical scavenger that can protect lipids from oxidation. [19] Preventing this is one of the keys to maintaining healthy blood vessel function. Meanwhile, the inorganic nitrates in beetroot juice have been found by studies to support healthy blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range. [20]
- Supports optimal brain performance – Beetroot juice is also a good source of brain-supporting phytonutrients. The beta-carotene in beetroot is a potent antioxidant that can protect against oxidative stress, one of the major contributors to cognitive decline. [21] According to the findings of the Physicians’ Health Study II, a randomized clinical trial that spanned a decade, long-term supplementation with beta-carotene is a great way to support optimal brain performance among adults. [22] The inorganic nitrates in beetroot juice also offer brain benefits. [23] Nitrite is a precursor to nitric oxide, a naturally occurring chemical that supports normal blood vessel function. Nitric oxide also serves as a chemical messenger in the brain that’s important for supporting learning and memory. [24]
- Supports healthy immune function – As mentioned earlier, the carotenoid, beta-carotene, acts as a precursor to vitamin A, an essential micronutrient. Together with the vitamin C in beetroot juice, vitamin A can help you maintain a healthy immune system by supporting the optimal functions of various immune cells. [25] A study published in the Nutrition Journal also reported that dietary antioxidants, particularly antioxidant vitamins like vitamins A and C, can support healthy immune responses by keeping your immune cells safe from oxidative damage. [26]
- Supports a healthy digestive system – Consuming beetroots is great for your digestive system because they are rich in both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. [27] According to studies, soluble fiber helps the beneficial bacteria in your gut flourish by serving as their main carbon and energy source. [28] Meanwhile, insoluble fiber helps speed up the transit of food in your digestive tract, thus supporting regular bowel movements. [29]
- Supports healthy liver function – Betaine, also known as trimethylglycine, is an amino acid that’s widely distributed in plants, animals and humans. Aside from getting it from dietary sources like organic beetroot, your body can also produce betaine from dietary choline. As an osmolyte, betaine can support healthy cells and their protein components, while as a lipotrope – a nutrient needed for normal metabolic function – betaine helps catalyze the breakdown of fat, which is important for maintaining healthy liver function. [30][31]
- Supports healthy eye function – As a good source of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A by your body, beetroot juice is a great superfood for supporting optimal eye health. Vitamin A and beta-carotene both help keep the surface of your eyes moist and healthy. According to research, being deficient in vitamin A can cause dry eyes, which can lead to other eye issues. [32] To maintain good vision, make sure you include foods rich in vitamin A precursors in your diet like organic beetroot juice.
- Supports optimal athletic performance – Beetroot juice is a highly recommended drink for athletes and physically active individuals because of its high inorganic nitrate content. Studies show that nitric oxide derived from the conversion of nitrates supports healthy muscle contraction, blood flow and cardiorespiratory endurance, all of which can positively influence exercise performance. [33] A study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition also found that drinking organic beetroot juice is an excellent way to support your body’s normal resynthesis of phosphocreatine, a chemical that provides energy to your muscles during contraction. [34] By supporting healthy nitric oxide levels, organic beetroot juice can help you maximize your training or workouts.
- Supports sensible weight management plans – Organic beetroots are high in fiber and contain a decent amount of protein. This means they can help you achieve sensible weight management goals, especially if you consume organic beetroots as part of a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly. According to studies, fiber- and protein-rich foods can make you feel full for longer, which, in turn, can help you eat less and avoid unhealthy snacking between meals. [35][36]
- Naturally uplifts mood – The nutrient choline is not only present in foods like beetroot, it is also naturally produced by your liver, albeit in small amounts. Besides playing an important role in the synthesis of cell membranes, choline is also required for muscle control and the regulation of mood and memory. [37][38] Together with the amino acid tryptophan, a precursor to the mood-stabilizing hormone serotonin, the choline in organic beetroots can naturally help uplift your mood. [39]
Where to get freeze-dried Organic Beet Juice powder
Organic beetroots are some of the most nutritious root vegetables on the planet, which is why they deserve to be included in your daily diet. If you’re looking for an easy way to incorporate this nutrient-dense superfood into your daily routine, then the Health Ranger Store’s got you covered.
Now, you can enjoy the many health benefits of organic beetroot with Groovy Bee® Organic Freeze-dried Beet Juice Powder. Made from the taproots of Beta vulgaris plants grown under strict organic standards, our premium organic beet juice powder is the product of modern freeze-drying technology, which allows us to extend the shelf life of fresh beetroots while preserving their incredible nutrient and phytonutrient content.
Groovy Bee® Organic Freeze-dried Beet Juice Powder is packed with all the essential nutrients, antioxidants and other beneficial phytonutrients that make this vegetable a bona fide superfood. And because it’s in a convenient powder form, you can easily add it to a glass of water or to your favorite healthy drinks to enjoy the wholesome goodness of organic beetroots.
Groovy Bee® Organic Freeze-dried Beet Juice Powder is vegan, non-GMO, non-China and certified Kosher and organic. This product contains no artificial colors or flavors, processing aids, excipients and carriers, and it is also lab verified for cleanliness and purity. And like every product offered by the Health Ranger Store, our high-quality freeze-dried organic beet juice powder is meticulously lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Stay physically active and support healthy heart, brain and athletic performance with nutritious Organic Beet Juice Powder today!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.
References
[1] https://www.health.harvard.edu
[2] https://homeguides.sfgate.com
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[8] https://health.clevelandclinic.org
[9] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com
[10] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[11] https://pubs.acs.org
[12] https://www.mdpi.com
[13] https://www.britannica.com
[14] https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu
[15] https://www.eatingwell.com
[16] https://theconversation.com
[17] https://www.nutritionvalue.org
[18] https://my.clevelandclinic.org
[19] https://www.tandfonline.com
[20] https://www.frontiersin.org
[23] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[24] https://www.frontiersin.org
[25] https://www.mdpi.com
[26] https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com
[27] https://www.intechopen.com
[28] https://www.mdpi.com
[29] https://www.ucsfhealth.org
[30] https://iubmb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
[32] https://www.nvisioncenters.com
[33] https://www.mdpi.com
[34] https://jissn.biomedcentral.com
[36] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[37] https://journals.sagepub.com
[38] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets
[39] https://www.tandfonline.com