Beets are now the center stage of a healthy diet. They are not only comprised of a whole host of essential everyday nutrients like B vitamins, iron, manganese, copper, magnesium, and potassium, but this amazing vegetable is also full of health-boosting nutrients that you may not get anywhere else. Here are the top health benefits of beets:
Improves Blood Pressure
Beets are rich in nitrates, which the body converts to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a compound that relaxes and dilates blood vessels, providing improved circulation and potentially lowering blood pressure.
Lowers Your Risk of Heart Disease
Beets are rich in the B-vitamin, folate, as well as betaine, a plant alkaloid. Together, betaine and folate can help lower blood levels of homocysteine. Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with heart attack, stroke, and blood clots.
Improve Your Stamina
Known research suggests the nitrates found in beets can boost endurance performance, making this an excellent choice for the competitive athlete. Consuming WAR FUEL before your workout, gives your body the elevated nitrate levels to improve your stamina to give you the potential to make new records in your overall performance.
Improve Brain Function
Nitrates benefit your body in many ways. As mentioned, the converted nitric oxide relaxes and dilates your blood vessels, which in turn increases blood flow to the brain. This improved blood flow could contribute to better brain function. As we age, this is a particularly important aspect of our health as we tend to generate less nitric oxide as we get older. With dementia and Alzheimer’s affecting nearly 1 out of 10 people over the age of 65, is it good to find a convenient source of beets to help improve vascular dilation.
Lighten Your Liver
Betaine, the amino acid found in beets, helps to prevent, and reduce the accumulation of fat in the liver. Betaine research has shown that people who consume foods with betaine (beets, quinoa, and spinach for example), experience improved liver function, slight decreases in cholesterol, and a reduction in liver size.
Protect Against Carcinogens
Beets are also rich in betalains, potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that battle free radicals and inflammation in your body. Research suggests that betacyanin, the pigment that gives beets its pretty color, may help protect against common carcinogens.
