Beet powder is a bright pink or red powder made from dried, ground beets, which have the scientific name, Beta vulgaris. Beets come from the root portion of the plant, hence the name Beetroot. The beetroot is a dark red vegetable with a sweet and slightly earthy taste.
To make the powder, beets are sliced and then dehydrated. After all moisture is removed, the dried beets are finely ground to create a powder with a light, airy texture. The exact color can vary between a deep pink and a reddish brown depending on the variety of beet used in the product.
People are drawn to beet root powder for several nutritional reasons, and many people also enjoy the taste. Just a teaspoon of beetroot powder is equivalent to an entire beet, and contains tons of healthy nutrients.
Health Benefits
Lowering Blood Pressure
Beets are rich in vitamins and minerals. They also contain a lot of nitrates, which are particularly useful for maintaining heart health. Studies have shown that ingesting beetroot can help to significantly lower blood pressure. Since high blood pressure is linked to strokes, dementia and cardiovascular disease, the ability of beets to lower blood pressure can be life-changing.
Athletic Performance
Drinking beet juice may improve athletic performance and exercise endurance. The nitrate supplementation from beets also helps blood cells to transport oxygen throughout the body more effectively. This leads to more endurance during exercise and higher oxygen levels in the brain. Overall, more oxygenation leads to better physical and mental performance.
Blood Sugar Level
Another helpful nutrient in beetroot powder is alpha lipoic acid, which is a powerful antioxidant. In general, antioxidants help to reduce inflammation, minimize oxidative damage and decrease cancer risks. Medical research has found that alpha-lipoic acid is particularly good at managing diabetes symptoms. This antioxidant helps the body to heighten insulin sensitivity, so eating sugar does not cause as many problems. People with diabetes who regularly consume the alpha-lipoic acid found in beets are less likely to develop the nerve damage and numbness that severe diabetes can cause.
Erectile Dysfunction
In addition to being used for diabetes and heart issues, beetroot powder can also be used to treat erectile dysfunction. Though many people worry that this condition is caused by diminished virility, it is actually just a problem with blood flow to the reproductive areas. Since beetroot powder is so helpful for increasing circulation, it can be effective at managing some erectile dysfunction issues.
Body Detox
Beet supplements are often used as a form of detox, especially for people who need a liver detox. Beets help to flush toxins out of the liver because they are full of folate, nitrate and iron. All of these helpful nutrients work together to thin bile, letting it flow more effectively through the liver, and they also help to improve blood circulation to the liver. Many people find that this sort of detox helps to boost energy and mood.
Beet powder and beet juice can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
- Mix beet juice with vinegar and sugar to make a colorful pickling solution for quick pickles
- Blend beet powder or beet juice into smoothies.
- Mix beet powder into sauces for extra flavor.
- Sprinkle beet powder over oatmeal or yogurt
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