Beet Root Give It to ya
Beet powder, also called beetroot powder, is a powerhouse packing a mighty punch of nutrition. The powder form is a similarly bright pink or red product made from dried, ground beets that has the scientific name Beta vulgaris. Beet powder is often advertised as a superfood and sold by natural food retailers. . Read more to find out why we incorporate this Superfood into our Cup A’Nu and NuBuilt supplements.
Beet powder can be mixed with water to create a juice. It can also be added to smoothies, sauces, or baked goods. Beet powder is growing in popularity as a natural health-boosting supplement.
People are drawn to beet juice and powder for nutritional reasons, and many people also enjoy the taste. Beets generally have an earthy, bitter flavor. Many people enjoy the flavor of beet juice on its own while some prefer to mix beet juice or beet powder with sweet or fresh flavors.
Major Benefits to BeetRoot Consumption
Could Lower Your Blood Pressure. ...
It Boosts Brain Power. ...
Improves Athletic Performance. ...
They Fight Inflammation. ...
Supports Liver Health. ...
Encourage Weight Loss. ...
Can Help Erectile Dysfunction
In addition to vitamins and minerals, beet juice and powder also contain nitrates. Nitrates are a naturally-occurring substance found in beets and many other vegetables. Dietary nitrate helps improve vascular function or healthy blood flow.
Some of the many health benefits of beet juice and beet powder include:
Athletic performance
Nitrates appear to affect physical performance by improving the efficiency of mitochondria, which are responsible for producing energy in your cells (1)
Drinking beet juice may improve athletic performance and exercise endurance. In a recent study, drinking beet juice daily improved the performance of 12 trained bicyclists. Another study showed that elite distance runners benefitted from regularly drinking beet juice.
Beet juice has this effect because it contains nitrates, which increase the amount of oxygen a person can use while engaged in heavy exercise. (2)
According to one review, beetroot juice could enhance endurance by increasing how long it takes to become exhausted, boosting cardiorespiratory performance, and improving efficiency for athletes (3)
It’s important to note that blood nitrate levels peak within 2–3 hours of consuming beets or their juice. Therefore, it’s best to consume them a couple of hours before training or competing to maximize their potential benefits (4).
Drinking beet juice may help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension, or high blood pressure. The nitrates in beet juice help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow. Lowering your blood pressure can help protect you from heart attacks and stroke. (5)
In fact, some studies show that beetroot juice could significantly lower levels of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (6, 7)
The effect appears to be greater for systolic blood pressure, which is the pressure when your heart contracts, rather than diastolic blood pressure, which is the pressure when your heart is relaxed. Also, raw beets may exert a stronger effect than cooked ones (7 8 ).
These blood-pressure-lowering effects are likely due to the high concentration of nitrates in this root vegetable. In your body, dietary nitrates are converted into nitric oxide, a molecule that dilates blood vessels and causes blood pressure levels to drop (9)
Studies have shown drinking beet juice may help people maintain lower blood sugar levels after eating. Beet juice may help people with obesity be more sensitive to insulin and reduce their blood sugar levels. Although further research is needed, these results could be promising for people with diabetes or other issues related to blood sugar.
Make it stand out
May support brain health
Mental and cognitive functions naturally decline with age, which can increase the risk of neurodegenerative disorders like dementia.
The nitrates in beets may improve brain function by promoting the dilation of blood vessels and thus increasing blood flow to the brain (10).
Particularly, beets have been shown to improve blood flow to the frontal lobe of the brain, an area associated with higher-level thinking like decision making and working memory (11).
Furthermore, a study in people with type 2 diabetes found that reaction time during a cognitive function test was 4% faster in those who consumed 8.5 ounces (250 mL) of beetroot juice daily for 2 weeks, compared with a control group (12).
May have some anti-cancer properties
Beetroot contains several compounds with cancer-fighting properties, including betaine, ferulic acid, rutin, kaempferol, and caffeic acid (13).
Although more research is needed, test-tube studies have shown that beetroot extract can slow the division and growth of cancer cells (14, 15, 16).
Several other studies have found that having higher blood levels of betaine may be associated with a lower risk of developing cancer (17)
May help fight inflammation
Beets contain pigments called betalains, which possess a number of anti-inflammatory properties (18, 19 , 20).
This could benefit several aspects of health, as chronic inflammation has been associated with conditions like obesity, heart disease, liver disease, and cancer (21).
One study in 24 people with high blood pressure found that consuming 8.5 ounces (250 mL) of beet juice for 2 weeks significantly reduced several markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) (18)
Plus, an older 2014 study in people with osteoarthritis — a condition that causes inflammation in the joints — showed that betalain capsules made with beetroot extract reduced pain and discomfort (22).
Beetroot juice and extract have also been shown to reduce kidney inflammation in rats injected with toxic, injury-causing chemicals ( 19).
In Summary, Beets may have a number of anti-inflammatory effects, although further research in humans is needed.
Nutrition
Make it stand out
Beet juice is a source of calcium, iron, and potassium. All three minerals are important to keep your body healthy and in good shape. Beet powder also contains the essential minerals iron, potassium, and magnesium.
Here’s an overview of the nutrients found in a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of boiled beetroot (1):
Calories: 44
Protein: 1.7 grams
Fat: 0.2 grams
Carbs: 10 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Folate: 20% of the Daily Value (DV)
Manganese: 14% of the DV
Copper: 8% of the DV
Potassium: 7% of the DV
Magnesium: 6% of the DV
Vitamin C: 4% of the DV
Vitamin B6: 4% of the DV
Iron: 4% of the DV
Beets are particularly rich in folate, a vitamin that plays a key role in growth, development, and heart health (2).
They also contain a good amount of manganese, which is involved in bone formation, nutrient metabolism, brain function, and more (3).
Plus, they’re high in copper, an important mineral required for energy production and the synthesis of certain neurotransmitters (4).
