Just Beet It! 18 of Our Favorite Root Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Does beet root actually help? ›

Early research shows that taking red beetroot extract for 2 weeks can reduce total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol, and triglycerides in people with heart disease. High blood pressure. Drinking beetroot juice might reduce blood pressure in some people.

Can you eat beets everyday? It's always best to follow a varied diet. Eating a small amount of beetroot every day is unlikely to do any harm, but a high intake could lead to low blood pressure, red or black urine and feces, and digestive problems for anyone with a sensitivity to the nutrients.

Like many vegetables, the longer you cook beets—especially in water—the more the colorful phytonutrients leach out of the food and into the water. Retain the good-for-you nutrients in beets by roasting them or sautéing them instead. Or lightly steam them for just a few minutes, suggests Doyle.

Raw or Cooked? Cooked. Low in calories and high in nutrients, cooked beets reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Benefits: Naturally occurring compounds in beets improve blood flow, help keep arteries healthy and reduce LDL cholesterol (the 'bad' kind).

Eating foods like beets that are rich in dietary nitrates may help improve blood vessel function and decrease inflammation, which may help prevent atherosclerosis ( 21 ). Research has also found an association between dietary nitrate intake and a reduced risk of atherosclerosis-related death ( 22 , 23 ).

Who Should Avoid Beetroot? Beets are high in oxalates, which can lead to kidney stones. If you've had kidney stones, avoid beets or eat them only as a rare treat. Oxalates can also contribute to gout, a type of arthritis, so eat beets sparingly if you're at risk.

Betanin is the beetroot pigment that is absorbed by the body upon eating beets, and as a result, may turn your poop and pee pink or red for up to 48 hours after consumption—a phenomenon called beeturia. It's generally harmless and no cause for concern.

Moreover, beets are low in calories with zero cholesterol and a small amount of fat. However, the root is high in sugar and carbohydrates, so while you can consume the greens on top of the root in unlimited quantities, you should only have the root a few times a week. Beets are best from early spring to late fall.

In some studies, drinking about 2 cups of beet juice daily or taking nitrate capsules lowered blood pressure in healthy adults.

Steaming beets is a healthful cooking method because they retain most of their vitamins and minerals—they're not boiled out in water—and stay incredibly vibrant. Plus, steaming small beets or beet quarters is quick and easy for weeknights.

What are the side effects of eating beets? ›

It helps in the detoxification process because of the betaine it contains, which helps prevent and/or reduce fatty deposits in the liver. On the same note, beetroot helps in whole body detoxification. It's a great purifier and does so by pulling toxins into the colon where they can then be evacuated.

Is beet juice always bad for kidneys? Actually, it's not. Unless a person is at risk for kidney stones, beets may be key to reducing the risk of renal (kidney) failure during and after a heart x-ray. Coronary angiography is a specialized test allowing doctors to view the heart's blood vessels in action.

Red and yellow beets provide natural antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. The stronger the color, the more healthy chemicals are in the vegetable.

Surprisingly beetroot juice is not only good for your health but also your skin and hair. It is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C which reduce skin damage and it also prevents hair loss. Surprisingly beetroot juice is not only good for your health but also your skin and hair.

Nutrient-rich beets are a great way to add a variety of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and plant compounds to your diet. Beet, or beetroot, supplements are gaining quite a following for a number of apparent health benefits, including increased energy, improved physical performance, and reductions in blood pressure.

Beets are high in nitrates which research suggests improve cardiovascular health in several ways. Some studies show beetroot juice supplementation may lower blood pressure and increase blood flow. It increases oxygen uptake, lengthening the time it takes to become fatigued, which allows people to stay active longer.

How long it takes for beet juice to lower blood pressure can vary. However, a 2008 study stated that beet juice lowers blood pressure in about 3 hours. Research suggests that drinking beet juice daily for at least 60 days provides the most benefits, helping significantly improve hypertension.

Beetroot juice has higher nitrate levels; while typically, these nitrates might help with blood pressure, drinking beetroot juice in the morning might lead to health risks due to the formation of potentially cancer-causing substances in the long run. Allergy to beetroots is very rare.