Know your Herbs

Beetroot or Beta vulgaris belongs to the family of Amaranthaceae. The other names of Beetroot are golden beet, table beet, garden beet and red beet. From the main root, small roots originate. The tap root portion of the beet plant is used as vegetable. Beta vulgaris is mostly grown for edible purpose as the roots and leaves of the plant are eaten. The plant is also used for taking out sugar, colour and for its therapeutic values. Earlier, it was used to impart colour to wine. Its therapeutic value has been tested to treat digestive and blood- related disorders or illness.

USA, France, Russia, Germany and Poland are the leading producers of beetroot. Earthy magic of beetroot has given it a valuable place in the recipes and menu, especially in the European countries.

You can’t beat the distinct and delicious flavour of beetroot along its unique nutritional status; it contains the highest quantity of sugar among the vegetables. Commercially, it is used to get isolated sucrose.

Beetroot can be eaten raw, pickled and cooked, roots are sweet, but the leaves are slightly bitter in taste and are mostly used as a salad.

Nutritional profile of beetroot includes a rich amount of fibre and various minerals like potassium, iron, calcium and manganese, and vitamins A, folate, K and C. It contains natural bioactive chemicals such as betacin, choline and betaine.

Vitamin C is one of the best vitamins for immunity since it is an anti-oxidant that protects the cells from free radicals, supports wound healing and collagen formation.

Fibre helps in smooth functioning of digestive organs, and vitamin K helps in blood clotting.

Benefits of Beetroot

• Improves Heart Health: Beetroot restores cardiovascular health and prevents atherosclerosis and its progression to other heart-related serious diseases and disorders.
   
• Regulates Lipid Profile: Beetroot effectively regulates blood cholesterol, lipid and triglyceride levels. With consumption of beetroot, they can be brought into a normal and healthy range.
   
• Maintains Blood Pressure: Beetroot is a useful remedy for reducing high blood pressure.
   
• Prevents Cancer: Beetroot has a significant cytotoxic effect on the carcinogenic tissues and cells. It therefore prevents the onset and progression of cancer.
   
• Detoxifies body: It helps in detoxification and blood purification. This is because beets contain a group of phytonutrients called Betalains that support detoxification through liver.
   
• Fights Anaemia: Beets are useful for fighting against anaemia, iron deficiency and other blood-related ailments. It improves the formation and functions of red blood cells.
   
• Works as a Diuretic: Since beets are high in potassium, they help in eliminating excess fluid from the body. Betanin, which is responsible for giving the colour to beets, has been associated with lower levels of C-reactive protein. This action of betanin makes them anti-inflammatory as well.
   
• Good for Respiratory System: Beetroot works well for various respiratory and lung- related diseases such as sore throat, bronchitis, common cold, pneumonia and influenza.
   
• Improves Bowel Movement: It improves bowel movement due to the high fibre content. It soothes the digestive tract and prevents the onset of any serious digestive complaint.
                                                                                              
• Improves Memory: Beetroot can act as secret weapons against memory loss. As it improves the blood flow to the affected area in the brain, beetroot slows down the progression of dementia or forgetfulness.
   
• Improves Sleep: Beetroot contains choline, which helps with improvement of muscle movement, sleep, memory and learning.
   
• Helps in Fatty Liver: It assists in lowering chronic inflammation and due to the presence of betaine in beetroot; it can help in breaking down of fat deposits or fatty acids on liver in non alcoholic fatty liver.
   

The therapeutic qualities of beetroot are responsible for it being used as an ingredient in Ayurvedic herbal supplements designed for improving heart health. Cardigold Juice is an effective Ayurvedic supplement used for improving heart health.