Beetroot

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Juicy Trivia

One of the most powerful vegetables around. Renowned for cleansing the liver and the blood and one of the most tested and proven vegetables for reducing blood pressure (must be raw beetroot though not cooked or pickled!) A word of warning, drinking beetroot can turn your bowel movement red, so don't be alarmed! The deep purple pigment is known as betacyaninDid you know that Beetroot is in the same family as spinach and chard? It also comes in a variety of colours ranging from white through to red and vivid golden yellow

Juice or smoothie?

Juice: and only ever juice raw beetroot. Leave the skin on and juice the bulbs as they are. The juice of beetroot is incredibly sweet, and when mixed with the juices of apple, celcery, cucumber, spinach and a touch of lemon, it tastes delicious. It will also transform the colour of juice to a rich and vibrant red.

Juicy Benefits

Most renowned for supporting the livers natural detoxification process and reducing blood pressure. The powerful pigment found within beetroot is known as betacyanin helps to stimulate and enhance the process in the liver known as 'phase 2 detoxification'. This is one of a series of processes that the liver uses to turn harmful toxins, such as alcohol and metabolic waste into harmless substances that can then be removed from the body. Betacyanin has been found to speed up certain chemical reactions that are involved in the smooth running of this process. It is also widely believed that betacyanin can stimulate the production of bile, which can further aid the removal of processed toxins.

Beetroot has a very beneficial effect upon high blood pressure due to the high level of nitrates they contain. When we consume nitrate, our body converts it into nitrate oxide. This is a powerful vasodilator which means it widens the blood vessels.

Beetroot is superb for rebuilding red blood cells and is therefore excellent for treating Iron deficiencies and Anemia. It is also good for women who suffer with PMS and/or Pregnancy and is a rich source of carotenoids - the anticancer king.

Juicy Study

A study conducted by Barts and the London School of Medicine and the Peninsula Medical School concluded that a 500ml glass of beetroot juice per day can significantly reduce blood pressure.

The Peninsula Medical School at The University of Exeter's found that beetroot juice helps muscles to work more efficiently and lowered their oxygen uptake. It doubles the amount of nitrate in the blood and reduces the rate at which the muscles use their main source of energy.

Scientists have found beetroot juice boosts stamina by making muscles more fuel-efficient. A study on men aged 19 - 38 years cycling on exercise bikes, found that drinking half a litre of beetroot juice a day for a week, enabled them to cycle 16% longer before getting tired out!

Vitamins, Minerals and extras

  • B, C, Beta-carotene, Folate
  • Chlorine, Manganese, Calcium, Iron, Sodium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper, Chromium, magnesium
  • Although a veg, tastes sweet

References
Pinnock, Dale, 2011, Medical Cookery, Right Way, London.
Jensen, Bernard.Dr, 2000, Juicing Therapy, Keats Publishing, Illinois.
Meyerowitz, Steve, 2000, Power Juices Super Drinks, Kensington Books, New York.
www.enwikipedia.org
www.juicebenefits.net
www.healthalternatives2000.com/

Can be found in the following recipes

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