Beets are a unique vegetable and cannot be replaced by any other in the diet. Its nutritional value is due to a unique set of elements. They are not subject to destruction during the preparation of the root crop. The healing properties of red beets have been known for a very long time and they do not cause any doubt at all. It is worth noting that this vegetable has benefits in absolutely any form.
Composition and calorie content
According to many nutritionists, this is a low-calorie product of natural origin. Contained in beets vitamins, trace elements, carbohydrates and proteins. There is very little fat in the product. There are many different useful substances in the root crop, namely:
- contains beetroot vitamins A, B, PP and C, folic acid;
- monosaccharides, amino acids, sugars, dietary fiber;
- organic acids, beta-carotene, fiber.
In addition, the vegetable has a lot of macro- and microelements, in particular, such as copper, sodium, iron, potassium, manganese, fluorine. A vegetable can accumulate sugar, dietary fiber and proteins in the pulp, as well as a small amount of ash andfat.
What is useful vegetable
The healing properties of red beet and its benefits for the body are due to the unique composition of the product. This vegetable has long become simply indispensable on the table for many people. Beets have a rather positive effect on pathologies of the gallbladder, liver, anemia, anemia. It improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and the cardiovascular system, and also activates blood circulation.
Due to its high fiber content, this vegetable helps cleanse the intestines of toxins and toxins, destroys bacteria, and removes radionuclides. The greatest benefit comes from the consumption of this product in raw and baked form, and doctors recommend adding root leaves to dishes and drinking freshly squeezed juice. Substances contained in root vegetables help relieve constipation due to their mild laxative effect and fight against the formation of hemorrhoids.
Raw beets
In medical and dietary nutrition, a fresh vegetable is of great benefit. This is quite natural, since raw red beets completely preserve all minerals, vitamins and antioxidants unchanged.
The presence of betaine in a fresh product has a positive effect on the functioning of the digestive tract and liver, helps to treat heart diseases, and also has a tonic and anti-sclerotic effect. A raw vegetable activates the entire digestive tract, clearing it of accumulated toxins and decay products.
It is best to consume beets that are grown by a person. However, if this is not possible, then when buying a vegetable, you need to take into account such rules as:
- avoid too large fruit due to possible nitrate content;
- do not purchase root crops grown with the addition of chemicals;
- don't buy very small beets.
If there are light stripes on the cut of the vegetable, then it is not recommended to eat it. You should try to choose beets with a rich burgundy hue.
Boiled beets
When boiled, this vegetable is as he althy as when raw. If you boil it in a peel, it completely retains all its useful qualities. But you should not digest it, because in this case, all the nutrients will go into the water.
Boiled beets are good for people suffering from diseases of the digestive tract. Those who want to lose weight need to include a vegetable in their usual menu every day. It can be used to prepare various dishes, such as salads.
Beet juice
Its low calorie content, as there are only 42 kcal per 100 ml of the product. Due to its rich composition, this product has a positive effect on almost all body functions, improving blood composition and preventing the formation of blood clots. In addition, root vegetable juice helps to lower cholesterol levels. This has a positive effect on the condition of the vessels. The beneficial properties of beetroot juice have been known since ancient times. It is used in the treatment of various diseases, in particular, such as:
- pancreatitis;
- angina;
- anemia;
- runny nose;
- high blood pressure;
- high cholesterol;
- liver disease.
Beetroot juice is widely used in oncology, as it has a pronounced anti-cancer effect. With its regular use, it is possible to stop the development of malignant tumors at the earliest stages.
Beetroot juice is useful for men, as it increases stamina and helps relieve physical fatigue. This helps athletes, as well as men whose work involves heavy physical exertion.
This drink has a beneficial effect on sexual function. Red beet juice has been proven to help in the treatment of impotence. In addition, it is used as a good prophylactic.
The iron content in this vegetable makes it simply indispensable for heavy blood loss during menstruation. Juice helps prevent the development of anemia. This vitamin drink is useful for pregnant women, as it helps to reduce the risk of developing rickets in the fetus. However, before using it, you should consult a specialist regarding contraindications.
It is not recommended to consume beetroot juice while breastfeeding. This drink is considered heavy food for the baby's body. In addition, it can provoke a violation of the stool and allergies in the baby, since its digestive system has not yet fully formed.
Beetroot juice is very useful for children, as it increases the level of hemoglobin. It is important to properly introduce this drink into the baby's diet and in the required amount. ATOtherwise, you can harm the child's body. It is a natural energy booster that increases stamina and gives strength. It should not be consumed by children prone to gas formation, diarrhea, allergies, kidney disease.
Among the main benefits of drinking beetroot juice are the following:
- reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks;
- memory improvement;
- cleansing the liver and blood vessels;
- normalization of sleep;
- eliminate depression;
- improving the functioning of the digestive tract.
Beetroot juice with pancreatitis should be drunk very carefully. In the stage of exacerbation of the disease, its consumption is strictly contraindicated. Oxalic acid adversely affects the functioning of the pancreas, stimulates the production of gastric juice and provokes a drop in pressure. You can consume this healing drink only in the stage of stable remission, after consulting with your doctor.
Beets for pressure are recommended by many doctors. However, you need to drink beetroot juice with extreme caution, since consuming a large amount of this drink can provoke a sharp drop in pressure, up to loss of consciousness.
Beet juice from pressure helps well even with constant hypertension. Regular consumption of the drink helps to dilate blood vessels and get rid of cholesterol plaques.
Healing properties
This vegetable is very useful for chronic constipation. Thanks to organic acids, fiber and many other elements, beetroot normalizes all metabolic processes, and also helpscleanse the body. It helps eliminate putrefactive bacteria.
Beetroot is very useful because it contains the substance betaine, which regulates lipid metabolism and prevents high blood pressure. That is why it is recommended to consume a vegetable for liver diseases and obesity. Since this vegetable contains magnesium, it contributes to the treatment of hypertension and atherosclerosis.
Beetroot has a laxative and diuretic effect, relieves pain, reduces inflammation, promotes faster recovery, helps to cope with depression and is considered an excellent hangover remedy.
It is very useful for the normalization of blood formation processes. People who eat this vegetable in their diet rarely suffer from anemia.
Beets are a must for pregnant women. It contains folic acid, which is simply necessary even at the stage of planning a child and at the very beginning of pregnancy, since without it a he althy nervous system of the fetus does not form normally. In addition, while carrying a baby, a woman often encounters constipation.
There is a large amount of iodine in the root crop, which makes beets simply indispensable for iodine deficiency diseases of the thyroid gland. In addition, it is useful for the elderly suffering from atherosclerosis.
Due to the healing properties of red beet, you can significantly increase the protective functions of the body, which is why it is necessary to include this vegetable in the child's diet, especially during the season of colds. However, it is worth remembering that it is important to give beets to young children.only boiled.
Recipes of traditional medicine
Knowing how to use beetroot and use it in traditional medicine, you can achieve a positive result and quickly get rid of various diseases. For hypertension, add 1 tsp to freshly squeezed juice. honey. Drink ¼ st. before eating. Beetroot kvass, which you can easily make yourself, also helps a lot.
With constipation, you can consume beets in various forms, add it to dishes, and also drink juice and decoction from this root crop. With very severe constipation, the decoction should be used as an enema. This vegetable is part of many dietary dishes that are prescribed for the treatment of tuberculosis.
In case of a runny nose, it is recommended to instill 2-3 drops of freshly squeezed beetroot juice into the nasal passages 3 times a day. This root crop is used externally in folk medicine. During the treatment of ulcers and cracks, a slurry is made from it and applied to the affected areas. You need to change the bandage as it dries. Beets also help with teenage acne instead of a mask.
For weight loss, you need to grate the vegetable and squeeze the juice. Let it stand and drink after dinner. Then quickly swallow 3 tbsp. l. the remaining pulp, trying not to wet it with saliva. This tool helps to cleanse from toxic compounds, substances that provoke the growth of tumors and decay products. Beet pomace helps to control and suppress hunger, which is very important when dieting.
Using fresh juicepromotes not only weight loss, but also helps to establish the work of all internal organs. However, it is imperative to consume it correctly, as it has certain contraindications for use. Nausea, headache, and indigestion may occur.
To prevent the occurrence of negative symptoms, you need to dilute the drink with pumpkin or carrot juice, water. While dieting, you can also consume baked, boiled and raw beets. It is best to dress the salad with vegetable oil.
For anemia, prepare the juice of carrots, beets and radishes. Then combine all three types in equal proportions. The resulting remedy to drink 1-2 tbsp. l. before eating. The therapeutic course should last several months.
Magnesium, which is part of this vegetable, helps fight hypertension. With increased pressure, you need to mix honey and red beet juice in equal amounts. The finished drink should be drunk at 0.5 tbsp. twice a day. This tool contributes to the rapid normalization of pressure.
For pharyngitis and sore throat, you can use beetroot juice to gargle 6-7 times daily. For the treatment of mastopathy, fibroadenoma and fibromyoma, you need to clean the raw root crop, put it in water for 2-4 hours, constantly changing it. Grate the vegetable along with the peel on a fine grater, squeeze the juice. The remaining cake is used as a compress on the chest and lower abdomen. Leave all night. In the morning, remove this mass and put it in the refrigerator. It can be used 2 more times. The next night, repeat the procedure, and then take a break for the day. The entire course of therapy should last 20 nights. Take a break for a month and repeat the course. For otitis or deafness, instill 3 drops of boiled beet juice in each ear.
Use in cooking
Beets can be used to make many different dishes and drinks. They have a positive effect on the body. Boiled beets with garlic are not only tasty, but also he althy. Such a salad has a positive effect on all organs, prevents the development of cancer, and also strengthens the immune system. For this you will need:
- 1 small beet;
- 1-2 garlic cloves;
- s alt, sunflower oil.
Cook beets and grate. Peel and mince the garlic. Mix everything well, add s alt to taste and season with vegetable oil.
Very he althy combination of beets and carrots. Regular consumption of such a dish has a positive effect on the state of vision and blood. You will need ingredients such as:
- 1 medium size beets;
- 2 medium carrots;
- coriander, allspice, s alt;
- vegetable oil, mustard, vinegar;
- garlic.
Grate raw carrots and beets on a Korean carrot grater. Mix spices and add oil. Mix everything thoroughly and put on a dish.
It cleanses the liver well and helps to cope with the diseases of this organ, a decoction of red beets. Moreover, it helps even with problems such as stones and hepatitis. To prepare it, you need a root vegetablemedium size and 3 liters of water. Wash the vegetables well, put them in a saucepan and cover with water. Boil until about 0.5 liters of liquid remains in the bowl. Take out the root crop, rub it on the smallest grater, transfer it back to the pan and boil for another 20 minutes. Then filter the mixture, drink 200 g every 4 hours during the day.
Kvass has been prepared from this vegetable since ancient times. It fights well with hypertension and various digestive disorders. You need to peel the beets, cut into large pieces and pour water. To prepare a drink, use glass or enameled dishes. Put in a dark place to brew for 5-7 days. During this time, the drink will acquire a bright color and will stretch slightly. You can drink it neat or diluted with water.
Most of the dishes are cooked from the boiled root vegetable, but it can also be baked. According to nutritionists, in this form, the vegetable retains more nutrients. Not everyone knows how to bake beets correctly, but this is quite simple to do. A baked vegetable is considered a very good side dish for meat dishes. Saving time and effort is considered a big plus, since you do not have to wash the pan after boiling the root crop.
There are several options for how to bake whole beets in the oven. Take a medium-sized root crop, wash it thoroughly under running water, and wipe it with a paper towel. Then put the vegetable on the middle rack in the oven, preheated to 170 degrees. Cook for 50 minutes. This is the easiest way to bake whole beets.
To prepare a root crop, you canuse foil. To do this, tightly wrap the beets in it, put on a baking sheet, on the bottom of which pour 1 tbsp. water. The temperature in the oven should be 170-180 degrees. A small vegetable will be ready in 40-45 minutes. This is a fairly convenient way to bake whole beets in the oven. It turns out very he althy and tasty.
Many people are interested in how to bake beets very quickly. To do this, you can use a baking sleeve. Put the vegetable in the sleeve, tie it so that there is no air left, and cook for 35-40 minutes at a temperature of 180-190 degrees.
Prunes salad with beets is very tasty. To prepare it, you need to take:
- 1 baked beets;
- 30g shelled nuts;
- 50g prunes;
- 2 garlic cloves;
- s alt, pepper, mayonnaise.
Grate the finished beets on a coarse grater. Rinse prunes with boiling water, and finely chop along with walnuts. Mix everything, add s alt and pepper, season with mayonnaise.
You can also cut the baked beets with an apple, add chopped walnuts, s alt and season with sour cream. You will get a tasty and he althy salad.
Proper cooking of beets is very important. It is important not to overcook the root crop in order to retain all the beneficial components in it. After boiling the beets, drain the water and cool the vegetable.
Harm of beets
Harm from the root crop is expressed in the fact that it can provoke diarrhea in people with pathologies of the digestive tract. Fresh beet juice on an empty stomach is very harmful due to nitrates, whichmay be present in the vegetable.
In addition, it can provoke the development of gastritis in people with high stomach acidity. Before the inclusion of this product in the diet, a preliminary consultation of a gastroenterologist and a nutritionist is required. Only a specialist will be able to assess the benefits and harms of the root crop, taking into account the he alth status of each patient.
Contraindications
Despite all the medicinal properties of red beet, it still has certain limitations of its use. They are also due to the chemical composition of the root crop. The main contraindications include:
- osteoporosis;
- urolithiasis;
- diabetes mellitus;
- chronic diarrhea.
It is not recommended to consume this vegetable for osteoporosis and predisposition to it. This is due to the fact that the root crop interferes with the absorption of calcium. Because it is sweet, red beets are restricted for diabetics.
Vegetable is contraindicated in urolithiasis, as it contains oxalic acid. Beetroot has a pronounced laxative effect, so it is not recommended for chronic diarrhea.
