Wanderlust Coder: Just Beet It

I have ate beets for years and really was an acquired taste for me. As a kid, I thought beets were only able to be consumed when pickled. I didn't like them at all. It wasn't until later in life when I had a roasted beet and enjoyed it. Then it wasn't until my travels abroad that I found out that you could eat the beet green as well.

Brief History

The beet originated in prehistoric times and grew wild along the coastlines of Asia, Europe, and North Africa. Back then, only the beet greens or tops were consumed. Ancient Romans were the first peoples to cultivate and consume the beet root itself. Invading tribes of Rome were the ones responsible of spreading beets through northern Europe and then introducing them to the rest of the world.

Picture from TandomWorld.com

Beets or sugar beets are very sweet and contain the highest sugar content of all vegetables. Both their root and greens (aka tops) are good for human consumption and are packed with nutrients. Please note that beets aren't just the plain Jane red ball that most people picture when they hear the word. Beet farmers have developed many different varieties including gold or yellow or candy cane.Besides tasting great, eating beets and their greens can benefit the body.

Benefits

Detoxify and cleanse the body.
Beets contain betalin pigments that aid in breaking down other toxins bound to other molecules so they can be excreted from the body. In laymen's terms they work as a purifier for the blood and liver.

Contain natural beta carotene.
Beta carotene helps prevent lung cancer and age related blindness called cataracts. The powerful phytonutrients that give beets their deep red color may help prevent various forms of cancer.

Can be used to test stomach acid.

If you eat a lot of beets, your pee will turn pink or red if you have low stomach acid.

Packed with vitamins and minerals.
Beets are high in immune-boosting vitamin C which can help prevent asthma symptoms. fiber, and essential minerals like potassium which are essential for healthy nerve and muscle function. They contain manganese which is good for your liver, bones, kidneys, and pancreas. Beets also contain the B vitamin folate, which helps reduce the risk of birth defects.

Fight inflammation.
Beets are one of the few sources of betaine, a nutreint that protects cells, enzymes, and proteins from environmental stress. It is also fights inflamation, improves vascular risk factors, protects internal organs, enhances performance, and helps prevents numerous chronic diseases.

Nature's Viagra.
Since Romans were the first to eat the beet root, they found it to be natures aphrodisiac. They contain high amounts of boron, which is directly effects the production of sex hormones in humans. It will boost your libido, increased fertility, sperm mobility, and a reduction in frigidity in the bedroom.

Help extend endurance and improve performance.
Beets contain nitric oxide is a powerful vasodilator and is commonly used in supplements to give bodybuilders to help with endurance. It increases performance it is involved in increasing blood flow to the muscles, which makes it easier for you to produce energy. It also maintains blood pressure and controls muscle contraction.

Lower blood pressure.
Beets contain nitrates naturally and its juice may lower blood pressure in just a few hours. It lowers systolic blood pressure by an average of 4 to 5 points. Nitric oxide, in turn, helps to relax and dilate your blood vessels, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure.

Beets are a high source of energy.
At the same time they are low in calories and high in sugar (although the sugar is released into your system gradually, as opposed to chocolate). Very few foods found in the natural world are as beneficial as beets in this regard. Beets are a wonderful addition to any dietary need. With their high volume of nutrients, delicious taste, and multitude of uses, anyone can jump right into beets without missing a beat.

Beets help your mental health.
Beets contain betaine, the same substance that is used in certain treatments of depression. It also contains trytophan, which relaxes the mind and creates a sense of well-being, similar to chocolate. Beets can also lower your blood pressure. So if you’re already steamed about not eating beets, you can get a two-fer by diving into them right away.

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