Beetroot is grown in almost all corners of the world, and in our country it has become the basis of many national dishes and folk remedies for the treatment and prevention of diseases. Let us consider in more detail the composition and properties of the plant, the benefits and possible harm, and also offer several folk recipes.

The benefits of beets are due to its rich chemical composition, which contains minerals, vitamins, essential amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids and other micro and macro elements important for the body. The uniqueness of the composition of beets is that in such a combination and quantity these elements are not found in any other product!

Table of nutritional value of raw beets per 100 g

The composition of raw beets includes vitamins of groups A, B, C, E, K, PP, as well as betaine, which is beneficial for the liver, which gives the root crop its characteristic color.

Macronutrients in beets are:

• potassium;
• magnesium;
• calcium;
• sodium;
• phosphorus.

Trace elements in beets:

• iron;
• zinc;
• manganese;
• copper;
• selenium.

Boiled or raw?

The difference in the composition of boiled and raw beets is small, but still it is. The statement that most of the useful components “leave” as a result of heat treatment is not true. During the cooking process, only three vitamins are destroyed: C, B5 and B9, the rest of the beneficial substances are preserved almost in full.

On the other hand, when beets are boiled, solid plant fibers are destroyed - fiber, which is especially difficult for the stomach to digest, so boiled beets, unlike raw ones, are suitable for people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas.

The debate about the best form of eating beets is still ongoing, and we will only point out that, when consumed in reasonable quantities, both raw and boiled beets have a positive effect on health.

Boiled beets contain fewer vitamins, but are better absorbed by the body

Beneficial features

Beetroot has many beneficial effects on the body:

• Fiber and organic acids in the composition of the root crop normalize the functioning of the intestines, stimulating its peristalsis and regulating metabolic processes. They also increase the production of gastric juice and improve appetite.
• Beets are a good laxative and a natural "cleaner" that helps to remove putrefactive bacteria, bad cholesterol, radionuclides, salts of heavy metals and other harmful substances from the body. All this makes beets an indispensable tool for chronic constipation and digestive problems.
• Betaine in the composition of beets has a positive effect on the functioning of the liver, kidneys and improves blood circulation. The use of beets strengthens the walls of capillaries, lowers blood pressure, prevents blood clots, and refreshes the complexion. Beetroot helps in the prevention of atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, heart and eye diseases, and strokes.
• Natural antioxidants and vitamins in the composition of the root crop help to resist stress more effectively and strengthen the immune system, while the high content of calcium and other minerals has a beneficial effect on the condition of the bones, the functioning of the nervous and muscular systems. Digestible beet carbohydrates replenish energy and give strength to the body.
• The pigment betacyanin in the composition of beets resists the development of cancer cells.

For women (including during pregnancy and breastfeeding)

Beetroot improves well-being during menstruation, alleviating symptoms and helping to endure critical days more easily. Also, this root crop has a good effect on sexual activity and is recommended for those who are going to have children.

Many experts recommend eating raw beets for those who want to lose weight, as betaine and fiber help burn fat and speed up metabolism. Combined with their low calorie and high nutritional value, they make beets a great addition to almost any diet.

Beets are especially useful for women during pregnancy. Folic acid, which is part of it, is responsible for the proper development of the fetus and protects against birth defects, and the laxative effect helps with constipation, which pregnant women are often prone to. The only caveat is to use beets with caution during pregnancy if you have low blood pressure!

The use of beets during breastfeeding helps the mother recover faster after childbirth, and the child receives vital trace elements through milk. But to make sure that a small body perceives a new product well, introduce it to the menu gradually and start with easier-to-digest boiled beets.

For kids

The opinions of experts about the introduction of raw beets into the children's menu differ. On the one hand, beets help strengthen the immune system and supply the child with substances useful for growth, and the laxative effect helps to normalize stools in case of constipation, on the other hand, raw beets contain nitrates, which can lead to poisoning. Therefore, it is better for children to give boiled beets as part of vegetable purees or beetroot juice diluted with water, starting from 8–9 months.

Features of use

For diabetes and gastritis

Beets have a high glycemic index, but this does not mean that they should not be consumed in diabetes. If you follow the recommendations, you can only benefit from raw beets. Experts recommend for type 2 diabetes to consume no more than 50 g of raw beets per day, but beetroot juice is contraindicated in this disease.

The hard fibers of raw beetroot are difficult to digest and increase acidity. With gastritis, this can be dangerous, so raw beets should not be eaten without consulting a doctor!

Can you eat daily?

So, raw beets have a lot of useful properties, but how often can they be eaten and in what quantities? Here one should build on the assertion that the benefits of any product ends where overeating begins. Experts believe that the optimal daily dose of raw beets is about 250 g. At the same time, it is better to gradually introduce it into the diet so that the stomach gets used to the load. There is no information about the dangers of everyday use if you stick to this dosage.

Why can raw beets sting your throat?

People who try raw beetroot or beetroot juice for the first time may be confused by a scratchy and stinging throat after eating the root vegetable. This is due to the presence of chlorine in beets, which can irritate the mucous membranes. There is nothing to be afraid of, if the pinching passes quickly and does not bother you much. As a rule, this is a reaction to "acquaintance" with the product. But if the perspiration is pronounced, there is a burning sensation in the nasopharynx - this may be a sign of an allergy.

Folk recipes

There are many folk recipes based on beets to help cope with various diseases. The most commonly used juice is raw beets. General recommendations for its use are as follows:

• before resorting to traditional medicine methods, it is worth consulting with a doctor;
• freshly squeezed beetroot juice can cause vasospasm, so let it brew in the refrigerator for at least an hour before;
• use only fresh root vegetables that do not show signs of rotting and spoilage. Wash them thoroughly before squeezing the juice;
• beetroot juice can cause dizziness if you are not used to it, so increase the dosage gradually.

Beetroot juice is actively used in folk medicine

For the treatment of psoriasis

For the treatment of psoriasis, balls can be made from raw beets. To do this, squeeze the juice out of it, add bay leaf powder (1 tsp per serving) to the resulting cake and roll into small balls (the size of a bean). You need to take 3-4 balls half an hour before meals 3 times a day.

It is also useful to apply fresh beet pulp to the inflamed areas of the skin 2-3 times a day.

With epilepsy

For epilepsy, you can instill 3-5 drops of beetroot juice into each nostril once a day.

You can also make a cocktail of carrot juice (300 g), beetroot (60 g) and lettuce (60 g). You need to drink this cocktail in an amount of at least 600 g every day.

With garlic for constipation and runny nose

In addition, the combination of beets and garlic is a good remedy for rhinitis. Mix equal proportions of carrot and beetroot juices, add 5-6 drops of garlic juice and stir. It is necessary to bury in each nostril 3-4 drops 3 times a day.

Harm and contraindications

1. You should not use raw beets for people who have problems with the intestines, prone to heartburn, colic and internal bleeding.
2. In some cases, beets can cause various allergic reactions: swelling of the nasopharynx, swollen lymph nodes and skin rashes.
3. With urolithiasis and kidney failure, beets and beet juice are also not recommended.
4. Beets contain a large amount of sugar, so it is undesirable to use it for obesity.
5. Since beets have a pronounced laxative effect, they should not be eaten by people suffering from diarrhea.
6. The root and tops of raw beets contain nitrates that can cause poisoning. For this reason, it is recommended to buy beets grown in ecologically clean places.

As in the case of other products, the harm of raw beets is manifested by its excessive use. If you eat raw beets, following the recommendations and carefully monitoring your condition, then you won’t have to talk about negative consequences, you will only get benefits!

Thus, raw beets, in addition to a pleasant taste, have a number of useful properties, which makes this plant essential in the diet of any person who cares about their health and is fond of proper nutrition. The long history of the use of beets in folk medicine only confirms this fact.