03/12/2025
Beetroot is highly nutritious and rich in vitamins A, K and C, as well as rich in potassium, folate, silica and iron. Betain gives it its vibrant red colour.
Beetroot has a specific affinity with the blood. It is rich in nitrates, which the body converts to nitric oxide, which then relaxes and widens blood vessels, improving blood flow, lowering blood pressure, and improving endothelial function and circulation throughout the body.
The nitrates in beetroot can help improve oxygen uptake and improve exercise tolerance and performance, particularly for endurance athletes. Beetroot may also help with muscle soreness after exercise.
Compounds like Betalains, found in beetroot, can help reduce inflammation throughout the body, potentially easing symptoms of conditions like arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Betalains have been found to inhibit cervical, ovarian and bladder cancer cells in vitro, and can also inhibit the proliferation of cells in human tumours.
Other benefits reported include the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and chemo-preventative effects. The pigment betacyanin, found in beetroot, is being studied for its ability to help suppress the development of certain cancers
Beetroot helps combat the damage caused by oxidation and free radicals, and supports the health of even the smallest microcapillaries.
Beetroot has been used traditionally for cognitive function, decision-making, memory, higher-level thinking, liver function support, toxin elimination, weight management, high blood pressure, inflammation, enhancing exercise performance, boosting athletic performance, gut health, brain health, diabetes, heart disease, stroke prevention, energy level boosting, improved circulation, urinary health, cell regeneration, obesity, eye health, macular degeneration, osteoporosis, AIDS, wounds, and much more.
In ancient Rome, beetroot was also used as a blood tonic and an aphrodisiac.
Isn’t this a hugely underestimated medicinal, and to some, delicious herb?
