The benefits and harms of beetroot decoction have been known to traditional healers since antiquity. It was successfully used to treat many diseases and was considered a panacea for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver. Modern scientists have studied the properties of this product and came to the conclusion that the benefits and harms of beetroot decoction are due to its rich composition.
Nutritionists are unanimous in their opinion that this drink is useful for all people without exception, regardless of physical condition, age and gender. Other representatives of traditional medicine do not agree with this statement and warn that a biologically active product, which is a decoction, can cause undesirable consequences. And it must be admitted that both arguing parties are right in their own way. A decoction of beets prepared according to all the rules actually has many healing properties, but it should be taken in doses and taking into account the existing contraindications, which we will discuss a little later.
Why is beetroot water good?
So, let's start with a more common version: beetroot broth only benefits, the harm to the product is just speculation of pessimists. First, let's find out what useful substances are included in its composition.
Beets are famous for their high content of vitamins and minerals, low calorie content. In a properly prepared beetroot broth, all these properties are preserved. Beetroot decoction contains:
- B vitamins (mainly vitamin B9);
- vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that strengthens the immune system;
- organic acids (tartaric, malic, citric, lactic, oxalic), which are catalysts for metabolic processes;
- microelements (magnesium and calcium, potassium and sodium, iron and manganese, iodine), without which the normal functioning of internal systems and organs is impossible;
- pectin and fiber, which are digestive stabilizers.
With this composition, the benefits of beetroot broth seem quite obvious. It can harm people with certain chronic diseases (we will talk about them below), so a specialist consultation is necessary before taking the drink for the first time.
Did you know that beetroot decoction and juice differ significantly in their composition? The chemical elements of beets after heat treatment are transformed into a different form, their effect on the body changes. The decoction is much safer, since its components are better absorbed by the body.
Properties of beetroot decoction
As follows from the above, suchdrink is a real biologically active substance. The benefits and harms of beetroot decoction for the body are due to a whole range of factors - this is the state of he alth, and the dosage, and the duration of the course of treatment.
Beetroot decoction has more medicinal properties than a fresh root crop or juice squeezed out of it. In order for all its properties to be fully manifested, the decoction is taken thirty minutes before meals. Moreover, you should start taking with a few tablespoons, gradually increasing the single serving.
Beetroot decoction has the following properties:
- Diuretic - the drink allows you to get rid of edema. Changes become noticeable after the first dose. If the decoction is taken regularly, the swelling will disappear and will not reappear.
- Laxative - a decoction will help get rid of even chronic constipation. You can not be afraid that he will provoke diarrhea, just the intestines will work normally. For people with obesity, the benefits of beetroot decoction are obvious. It can only cause harm if overweight is caused by sugar weight or another chronic disease.
- Anti-inflammatory - a decoction can be used to gargle with sore throat or tonsillitis. It relieves inflammation and relieves the condition after the first procedure.
- A decoction made from beets has a beneficial effect on a he althy body. Even if you take it periodically, the positive effects will not be long in coming: proteins will begin to be better absorbed, and this reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis, nervous tension will go away, and sleep will normalize. The body gets rid oftoxins and harmful substances, which will improve overall well-being.
Cooking Methods
The he alth benefits and harms of beetroot decoction are still being studied by doctors. They believe that the properties of the drink largely depend on the correct choice of the root crop and its preparation. Beets should be red in color, without rot or damage. To prepare a decoction, it should not be cleaned, although there are recipes with a peeled vegetable. The benefits and harms of beetroot broth in this case depend not so much on the method of preparation, but on the dosage and rules of administration.
This healing drink can be prepared in several ways. Traditional healers do not recommend subjecting the root crop to a long heat treatment, as this can lead to a loss of healing properties. To be more useful than harm, beetroot broth must be properly prepared.
- Wash the medium-sized beets well, cut off the top and pour three liters of water. Simmer until the liquid is reduced by a third. Remove the root crop, peel it, grate it on a coarse grater and return it to the drink, which should boil for another 20 minutes. Strain, cool at room temperature, and the drink is ready to drink.
- With large, pre-washed beets, remove the skin, put in a saucepan and cover with water (cold). Cook it until fully cooked. The broth should cool at room temperature.
- Cut beets of any size into several pieces, cover with water and boil for an hour and a half until the broth resembles syrup.
Beetroot decoction: benefits and harms to the liver
Decoction is used to cleanse the liver. It is regularly taken in small portions. Or the procedure is carried out in one day. 800 ml of beetroot broth, prepared according to one of the described recipes, should be divided into four parts. The drug is drunk in four doses, with an interval of four hours.
You can't drink the whole volume at once. This will not benefit the liver (beetroot decoction is harmful in the presence of certain chronic diseases). It is better to take it before meals, and during treatment, fatty and spicy foods, meat dishes should be excluded from the diet. To maximize the effect of cleansing, it is advisable to eat only apples during the day.
After such a procedure, sometimes unpleasant and sometimes painful sensations occur in the stomach. Do not worry about this - they pass quite quickly. On the day you plan to cleanse, refrain from any activity. Just rest with a warm heating pad after each infusion. The blood vessels will expand under the influence of heat, and this will enhance the beneficial effect of the drug.
Gallstones
In the complex therapy of crushing stones in cholelithiasis, doctors confirm the benefits of beetroot decoction. Harm (reviews indicate this) can be done to the body only if there is an allergic reaction to beets, which is quite rare.
To prepare a remedy, it is necessary to boil four in three liters of water for an hourbeets of medium size. Then the root crop is pulled out, cooled and cut into slices, which are transferred to a three-liter glass jar. The root crop should be poured with three liters of filtered water. After that, close the jar with a lid and put it in a cool place, protected from the sun.
After two days, the jar is opened, the contents are mixed well and left to infuse for another six days. The finished product is taken half a cup twice a day. A person who suffers from gallstone disease should include vegetable salads with beetroot seasoned with olive oil in the diet.
For weight loss
Beets contain useful substances that accelerate the process of fat burning. The decoction reduces the content of "bad" cholesterol in the blood. For this reason, it will be useful for people who want to get rid of excess weight. You will need:
- 1 medium size beets;
- water - 1 liter;
- 5 grams of sugar;
- one lemon.
The root crop is peeled and rubbed on a fine grater. Then squeeze out the juice, which is set aside for now. Squeezed beets are poured with a liter of boiling water and boiled for about half an hour. Fresh beet juice, lemon juice and sugar are added to the liquid. After this, the product should be boiled over low heat for another five minutes.
The finished broth is filtered and cooled. Take it ½ cup no more than four times a day.
Okroshka on beetroot broth: benefits and harms
Preparing such a dish is not difficult at all. It hasdelicate taste and pleasant aroma. Two medium-sized beets, pre-peeled, cut into thin strips, pour water (three liters). The root crop is cooked until tender. The broth is cooled, s alt is added to it to taste, two boiled eggs, three fresh cucumbers, herbs and green onions.
This okroshka perfectly quenches thirst in hot weather, normalizes the digestive tract. It is not recommended to use this dish with exacerbation of gastritis and a tendency to diarrhea.
Decoction of beets in cosmetology
External application of beetroot decoction is no less useful than its traditional use. Here are just a few of the ways you can use this product to keep you looking young and beautiful.
- Foot baths, to which warm decoction is added, will help get rid of corns and cracked heels.
- Made from wheat flour, grated raw potatoes and beetroot broth, a face mask will relieve any inflammation. To do this, mix all the components in equal parts until a creamy mass is obtained. Apply the mask on the face for 10 minutes and then wash off with cool milk.
- If you rinse your hair with beetroot decoction after every wash, it will become silky and elastic.
- Rubbing the decoction into the hair roots will strengthen them.
- Beetroot decoction, mixed with water in equal proportions, is an excellent lotion that is used to improve complexion and cleanse the skin.
Contraindications for usedecoction
Today we talked a lot about the benefits and harms of beetroot broth. This remedy also has contraindications, and they must be taken into account before starting treatment. Beetroot decoction is contraindicated in:
- hypotension, since the composition is rather mild, but still lowers blood pressure;
- osteoporosis, since the beet itself and preparations based on it impede the absorption of calcium;
- with oxaluria and urolithiasis due to the oxalic acid that is part of the root crop, the use of a decoction is contraindicated;
- shouldn't eat beets and beet-based products if you're prone to diarrhea;
- diabetes should not take a decoction, as it contains a lot of glucose.
Reviews on the use of decoction
Most of the reviews are related to cleansing the liver. Patients are satisfied with the result. The decoction gently cleanses not only the liver, but also the intestines. The tool has a diuretic effect, which helps to get rid of edema. Many note that after taking a decoction of beets, their condition with gallstone disease has improved.
Summarize
In conclusion, I would like to say that the use of beetroot decoction should only bring benefits, improving well-being. If after the start of the procedures you feel discomfort or noted an exacerbation of the symptoms of chronic diseases, you should stop treatment and consult a doctor.
