Beetroot is one of the familiar and familiar vegetables. It is added to various dishes. The benefits of the vegetable are obvious to many consumers. The nutritional value of beets is quite low, so it is included in the diet. The article will discuss the positive properties of the vegetable, its composition and calorie content.
The chemical composition of beets
By composition, beets are one of the most useful vegetables that are most often present on people's tables. It contains vitamins B, P, PP, C, micro and macro elements (iron, copper, cobalt, potassium), folic and pantothenic acid.
Beetroot is the sweetest vegetable, so sugar is made from it. The nutritional value of beets is 42 kcal. Vegetable is 86% water.
Betaine, which is part of beets, refers to natural dyes and gives it a red color. It plays a huge role in the metabolism, and is practically absent in other vegetables.
Beneficial features
Due to the extensive chemical composition and nutritional value of beets (42 kcal), it is often used in proper nutrition. Useful not only the fruit itself, but also the tops.
Beetroot has the following positive properties:
- Strengthens the walls of blood vessels, while having a positive effect on both small and large.
- Lowers blood pressure. This is especially evident when eating beets raw or boiled in salads.
- A vegetable is an excellent prophylactic against atherosclerosis, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease. Especially advised to use it for people older than 50 years.
- Restores the form of blood, increases hemoglobin. With mild anemia, it makes it easy to cope with pathology without resorting to medical treatment. Beets are used in salads, borscht and other dishes.
- Restores liver function in case of its disease. Beets are part of the diet in people who have previously undergone infectious or inflammatory diseases of this organ.
- Improves metabolic processes in the body. The substances that make up beets positively affect water-salt metabolism.
Since ancient times, the vegetable was used to treat colds, and green tops were used to heal shallow wounds on the skin.
Beets are especially useful for expectant mothers, due to the presence of folic acid in it. This element contributes to the proper intrauterine development of the fetus. The vegetable is also useful for women who are at the planning stage of pregnancy.
The benefits of boiled beets
It is generally believed that any fresh vegetable has greater benefits than boiled. However, with beets, the answer is not so obvious.
By the number of vitamins, boiled vegetable is inferior to fresh. Beetroot contains acids that irritate the walls of the stomach.
In the process of heat treatment, their destruction occurs. The same thing happens with a small portion of vitamins. In this case, the main beneficial substances: betaine, fiber, pectin are stored in beets, even after a long cooking process.
The energy value of boiled beets is 49 kcal, which is not much more than fresh.
Therefore, we can say that a boiled vegetable has a great positive effect. In this form, it is much safer and more useful. It is boiled beets that contribute to the normalization of the digestive system: eliminates constipation. And also it is able to relieve stress and normalize protein metabolism.
How to drink beetroot juice
The beneficial properties of raw beets are quite extensive, which also applies to its juice.
Fresh affects the body as follows:
- helps to fight colds, relieves colds and sore throats;
- normalizes blood pressure;
- improves the functioning of the heart and blood vessels;
- increases hemoglobin level, relieves of anemia;
- prevents the formation of blood clots in blood vessels;
- corrects the menstrual cycle;
- helps with urolithiasis, removes certain types of stones;
- calms the nervous system and prevents the development of insomnia.
It’s impossible to cook and drink juice from beets, there are certain rules for its production and consumption.
Before drinking fresh, it should stand for 2 hours. If this is not done, then a headache, nausea and indigestion may occur.
It is best to consume juice in combination with other drinks. The best combinations include a mix with celery, carrots, pumpkin.
It is necessary to start drinking juice in a ratio of 1:10. In this case, 1 part of the drink and 10 parts of additional components are taken. Gradually, the ratio can be changed. In the end, it can be 1: 1.
Drinking beetroot juice immediately is not recommended. A glass of drink is best drunk gradually during the day. And in each reception - just a few sips.
The benefits of tops
Beet tops are used to prevent many diseases. The greens contain retinol, phylloquinone, calcium and magnesium. Tops should be eaten for diseases of the heart and blood vessels, digestive and endocrine systems.
The leaves of the root crop contain choline, a substance that restores liver cells and normalizes fat metabolism.
The nutritional value of beets is 42 kcal. A calorie tops only 17, so that it can become an alternative to spinach.
Dish recipes
What can be cooked from red beets? There are many recipes from vegetables. Borsch and vinaigrette - beetroot classics.
Beetroot is a universal product. The dishes include not only the tuber itself, but also the tops. It has unique properties.
Beetroot salad with oranges. To prepare it, you will need the following products:
- 2 oranges;
- 4 small beets;
- bunch of arugula;
- bulb;
- 1 tbsp. a spoonful of walnuts.
For refueling, you need to take: 1/4 cup of white wine vinegar and olive oil, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, salt and black pepper to taste.
The cooking process includes the following steps:
- Beets are baked in the oven, peeled and cut into slices.
- Citruses peel and lintels. Chopped.
- Lay the components in a salad bowl in layers. First, arugula, then beets, oranges, a few onion rings, sprinkle with chopped walnuts on top.
- Combine all the components of the sauce. Beat and pour the dish over them.
- Beetroot salad with oranges is ready to eat.
What vitamins are found in beets? A lot of vitamins are present in the vegetable, among them B, P, PP, C. Thanks to this, beets are a welcome component of many dishes.
To prepare baked beets with basil and feta cheese, you will need the following products:
- olive oil;
- beets - 3-4 pcs.;
- a bunch of basil;
- 200 g feta cheese;
- salt and black pepper to taste.
The cooking process consists of the following steps:
- Beets are peeled and cut into large slices.
- It is baked by pouring olive oil in the oven for 30 minutes at a temperature of 200 degrees.
- Top with cheese and basil. All mix, salt and pepper. Bake another 20 minutes.
After the specified time, the dish is completely ready for use.
How to choose and store root crops
In order for beets to retain all its beneficial substances, it is necessary to choose and store it correctly. Initially, it is necessary to examine the appearance of the vegetable. Beets should be elastic, without spots of rot and dots on the surface. For a young root crop, green tops are characteristic.
Beets are perfectly stored. It should be placed in a dark room at a temperature of 1 to 5 degrees. The root crop is well stored in wooden boxes with wet sand or in sawdust.
Contraindications
What is the use and harm of boiled beets? A vegetable, in addition to a positive effect on the body, can affect a certain category of people negatively.
With caution, boiled or fresh beets are introduced into the diet of patients suffering from unstable stools. If there is a predisposition to diarrhea, people need to limit the amount of vegetables on the menu and carefully monitor the work of their intestines.
Beetroot contains oxalic acid, it is contraindicated in people who have been diagnosed with oxaluria. The same substance makes it undesirable to use a vegetable for gastritis with low acidity of gastric juice.
It is not recommended to use beets for people with diabetes. This is due to the presence of a large amount of sugar in the vegetable. This can lead to a deterioration in the general condition of patients, due to an increase in blood sugar.
When taking beetroot juice as a remedy, you must first obtain the advice of your doctor. This applies to permission to conduct such therapy.
Conclusion
Such a familiar vegetable as beets can give the body many benefits. It can be included in the diet in both fresh and boiled form. True, too fond of beets is also not recommended. This can lead to diarrhea, hypervitaminosis, and stomach pain. If you eat 100 g of beets per day, then this will bring the body only benefit, due to its saturation with vitamins and minerals.