Is it possible to eat raw beets every day. The benefits of beets are raw and boiled. Useful properties of beets and contraindications, video. The composition of boiled beets

Raw beets in the diet are new and unusual. Culinary processing (cooking, frying, stewing or baking) is more familiar to a person. But moderate consumption of this raw vegetable will significantly improve health. Root vegetables taste sweet due to the high sucrose content. You can get the most out of your health benefits by including this raw vegetable in vitamin salads.

The chemical composition of fresh and boiled vegetables

If most vegetables during cooking lose most of the beneficial trace elements and vitamins, then beets in this case are a happy exception. The only thing that necessarily changes is the calorie content. A raw vegetable has 40 kcal per 100 g, and a boiled vegetable has 49 kcal.

Reference. The root vegetable in any form contains beta-carotene, di- and monosaccharides, dietary fiber, organic acids, starch and water. These substances help to improve digestion, improve general condition.

Raw beets are a dietary vegetable. 100 g of the product accounts for:

• 1.5 g of proteins;
• 8.8 g of carbohydrates;
• 0.1 g fat.

What is the harm?

Beets contain chlorine, the excess of which causes irritation in the mucous membrane. A symptom of this phenomenon is a tickling and pinching in the throat (especially when eating a raw vegetable for the first time). These symptoms usually go away quickly. If the burning process in the nasopharynx is prolonged and acute, this is a symptom of the onset of an allergic reaction to a raw product. Allergies can occur in the form of skin rashes, swelling of the nasopharynx, swollen lymph nodes, chills and fever.

It is forbidden to combine raw beets and garlic, as this increases the burden on the heart. Nitrates can accumulate in the tops of the root crop if the vegetable grows in ecologically unfavorable regions. Nitrates provoke body poisoning. It accumulates in the area near the tops. Therefore, be sure to trim the top off before eating.

Read more about how much and in what form it is better to eat beets, as well as what are the benefits and harms of using it for human health.

Contraindications for use

Important! Raw beets can harm people with acute illnesses gastrointestinal tractas well as internal bleeding. Heartburn, colitis, gastritis with high acidity, irritable bowel syndrome, flatulence - with such ailments, raw beetroot dishes are prohibited.

But for the purpose of combination therapy, micro-doses of beetroot juice can be prescribed.

In what other situations is a raw vegetable banned?

1. Urolithiasis, kidney failure, kidney stones. The product provokes the movement of stones, their increase and weight.
2. Diabetes.
3. Propensity to diarrhea.
4. Hypotension. There is a risk of uncontrolled pressure drop.
5. Osteoporosis (the product helps to remove calcium from the body).

However, few people think that, in addition to taste, beets have medicinal properties and are successfully used in traditional medicine for several centuries in a row. We talked in detail about the useful properties of this root crop for and in our materials.

Beets preserve well beneficial features with long-term storage. This is especially noticeable in the spring, when there is an acute lack of vitamins. The root vegetable will be an excellent tool for strengthening the health of the whole family. In raw form, beets are allowed to be consumed no more than 200 g per day.

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Beets are an indispensable product that is used in many dishes. But is it possible to eat raw beets and what are the benefits of it you need to know everyone who decided to include this vegetable in their diet.

The main benefit lies in the low calorie content of the root vegetable - only 40 calories per 100 grams. Raw beets are rich in chemical composition... It contains vitamins (PP, C, as well as group B), minerals, amino acids and trace elements. Of the minerals, iodine, sulfur, iron, potassium and manganese should be distinguished.

Vegetable that allows you to lose a few pounds of excess weight. In addition, the introduction of dishes with raw beets into the diet will help to normalize the work of the whole body.

Useful properties of the root vegetable:

1. Anthocyanins (natural dyes) are a powerful antioxidant that aims to slow down the aging process and improve overall well-being and appearance. Raw beets are a panacea that can preserve youth and health.
2. Betaine, which is part of the composition, protects the human body from the development of cancer. That is, it neutralizes free radicals and protects cells from abnormal transformation into cancerous ones.
3. B vitamins cope with stress, neuroses and depression. Thanks to this valuable composition, raw beets improve memory, sleep and concentration. B12 fights flu, arthritis and sore throat.
4. Fiber, which the vegetable is so rich in, improves digestion and the functioning of the digestive tract.
5. Pectin stimulates the cleansing of the body from heavy metals, harmful cholesterol and pathogenic microorganisms.
6. Potassium, as well as magnesium, is aimed at improving the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
7. Zinc, copper and manganese support the reproductive system and have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gonads.
8. Raw beets can help fight anemia and other blood disorders. With its daily use, the production of blood cells improves.

We can safely conclude that raw beets are good for the body, therefore it is recommended to include them in the daily diet. The best option would be salads.

Which is healthier: raw beets or boiled

This question is of interest to those people who want to take their health seriously and include this root vegetable in their daily diet. In fact, the vegetable practically does not lose its beneficial properties during heat treatment. With prolonged cooking or baking, vegetable fiber can lose its properties and only vitamin C, B5 and B9 are destroyed. The rest of the composition will remain unchanged.

Raw beets sting your throat: what could be the reasons

The thing is that a raw vegetable contains an element such as chlorine. It is he who can cause a little discomfort. But this happens most often in those cases when a person first tastes raw beets. The unpleasant sensations soon disappear without a trace.

If the burning sensation persists and only gets worse over time, this may be a sign of an allergic symptom.

How to eat a root vegetable correctly

Here you should immediately start with the fact that there should be a measure in everything. The benefits of any product end when the banal overeating begins. It is believed that it is enough to eat about 100-150 g of a vegetable per day. And since beets practically do not lose their beneficial properties during heat treatment, they can be added to salads, soups, borscht and other dishes.

Advice! In order for the body to get used to the product, and there were no such unpleasant consequences as gas formation or bloating, you need to introduce the root crop gradually.

The benefits of a vegetable for pregnant women and children

Both children and women in the position of beets will only benefit the body. And everything lies in its unique composition, rich in various useful substances.

What are the benefits for expectant mothers:

1. Beets are rich in folic acid. And as you know, every pregnant woman vitamin B9 is very important in the first three months of pregnancy. It is he who is able to prevent birth defects in the fetus. Also, this element is directly involved in the formation of a child's place (placenta) and hematopoiesis.
2. The laxative effect of the root vegetable helps a pregnant woman to avoid constipation, which so often happens during childbearing for anatomical and physiological reasons.
3. Beet juice, which can be obtained in a simple way at home, is recommended for expectant mothers to drink in order to avoid anemia, because, as you know, a lot of blood is lost during labor.
4. In the last stages of pregnancy, a woman often has high blood pressure. Raw beets normalize not only blood pressure, but also heart rate.
5. Since the root vegetable can help regulate fat metabolism, adding beets to your daily diet will prevent weight gain.

Also, numerous studies have long proven that the root crop has strong energetic effects. This means that the vegetable will help relieve fatigue and give strength, especially to those mothers who are exposed to mental stress during pregnancy.

As for the children, there are two opinions. On the one hand, beets will fill the child's body with useful substances, vitamins and strengthen the immune system, plant fibers will help remove pathogenic microorganisms and toxins. But on the other hand, raw vegetables contain nitrates that can poison a small, weakened body.

Healthy salad recipes

Can you eat raw beets in salads? There are many varieties of dishes that can be prepared from this root vegetable. They are distinguished by their characteristic rich color. The salads are tasty, bright and, in some versions, even hearty.

Raw beet salad

This vegetable is rich in vitamins and various microelements, so a salad made from it will be extremely useful for our body. Raw beetroot salad is easy to prepare and doesn't require many ingredients.
What you need for cooking:

• beets (medium size) - 3-4 pcs.;
• juice from half a lemon;
• vegetable oil (unrefined) - 80 ml;
• garlic - 4 cloves;
• parsley greens - several branches;
• granulated sugar and salt - 1/2 tsp each.

Cooking steps:

1. Grate beets on a coarse grater. A grater is suitable for korean carrots... Chop the garlic in a convenient way and mix with the root vegetable.
2. Add salt, after sugar, butter and juice from the lemon. Mix.
3. Send the salad to the refrigerator for 2-3 hours for a rich taste.
4. Decorate with chopped herbs.

Attention! Since beetroot lowers blood pressure, hypotensive patients need to eat such a dish with extreme caution.

You can safely add dill, spinach and any spices to such a salad. If there is no goal to lose extra pounds, then instead of vegetable oil, it will be delicious to season the beets with mayonnaise.

Salad "Brush" to reduce weight

This salad helps to cleanse the intestines of toxins and irrevocably lose excess body weight. The dish consists of fat burners, so you can eat it even in the evening.

You need to prepare the following products:

• raw beets - 300 g;
• fresh cabbage - 300 g;
• raw carrots - 300 g;
• favorite greens - 5 branches;
• olive oil - 3-5 tbsp. l .;
• lemon juice - 20-25 ml;
• spices to taste.

Preparing "Brush" in this way:

1. Wash vegetables from dirt and dust, and then peel them.
2. Chop the cabbage in the usual way. Washed root vegetables need to be grated (preferably coarse).
3. In a large salad bowl, mix all the chopped vegetables, add chopped herbs.
4. Season the salad with oil, pour in the lemon juice and salt the salad to taste.
5. Put on a nice dish and serve.

Salad has many health benefits. It is useful for pregnant women to eat, since beets contain folic acid, which is so necessary in the first trimester of bearing a child. In addition, the vegetables included in the dish will help relieve constipation and normalize digestion.

Beetroot with apples

If you don't know what salad to serve at the dinner table, then this option will perfectly complement any side dish and fill the body with vitamins and various microelements. Raw beets and apple go perfectly together.

Required Ingredients:

• apples - 2-3 pcs.;
• beets - 3 pcs.;
• raw carrots - 2-3 pcs.;
• salt;
• onions - one small head;
• mayonnaise (salad, low-fat) - 3-5 tbsp. l .;
• any greens - a few branches.

Preparation:

1. Peel and grate the beets and carrots (you need to use a grater that is designed for Korean carrots).
2. Peel the apples from the apples, cut into thin strips.
3. Onions in a salad will look good if you cut them into half rings.
4. Mix all ingredients. Season with salt, add chopped herbs, season with sauce.
5. Mix everything well and put in a salad bowl.

The salad turns out to be appetizing, healthy and satisfying. If there is no desire to season with mayonnaise, then you can safely use vegetable oil. The taste will be completely different, but also delicious in its own way. You can serve it with any side dish, but it will be especially tasty with potatoes or pasta.

Beets and walnuts

One of the most popular is a salad made from raw beets and walnuts. Beets, as you know, are rich in nutrients, and nuts will fill the body with vegetable protein.

You will need the following products:

• beets (medium-sized) - 3-4 pcs.;
• peeled walnuts - 100-150 g;
• onion - 1 medium head;
• vegetable oil for frying - 2-3 tbsp. l .;
• salad mayonnaise - 3-5 tbsp. l.

Cooking steps:

1. Peel the root vegetables, rinse under water and grate.
2. Bake the nuts a little in the oven at a temperature of 160-170 ° C. Then grind in a blender bowl.
3. Chop the onion in half rings and fry in oil until a pleasant aroma appears.
4. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and season with mayonnaise. Mix well.

This salad is perfect for lunch or festive table... Chopped greens such as dill, spinach, or lettuce can be added if desired.

What harm can cause health

Despite the fact that the root crop has many positive qualities due to its unique composition, there are still contraindications for use. Therefore, before you start preparing salads from raw beets, you need to carefully read the harm that a vegetable can cause to the body.

What is important to pay attention to:

• the vegetable is bright red, so allergy sufferers can cause symptoms of an allergic reaction;
• the root vegetable can cause bloating and heartburn;
• it is contraindicated to consume beets with their aboveground part, since the tops can accumulate toxic substances and cause poisoning;
• banned raw beets and urolithiasis, as it can affect the growth of kidney stones;
• it is not recommended to include a root vegetable in your diet for people sick diabetes mellitus and obese (increases blood sugar);
• with extreme caution, you need to introduce the vegetable to young children, as it can cause allergic reactions.

In all other cases, the root crop will only benefit the body and diversify the diet. But is it possible to eat raw beets every day? Here the opinion of nutritionists differs. Some advise including the vegetable in the daily diet, while others recommend no more than 2-3 meals per week.

Raw beets were used by healers and healers in folk medicine many years ago. Today, the root crop is very popular among losing weight people. Having learned all the useful properties of raw beets, we can safely conclude that this vegetable should be in the diet of every person who has no contraindications to its use.

Useful properties of beets:

Many people know that beets are very useful and even try to introduce beet dishes into their diet. And that's right, even in ancient times, beets were used for various ailments and medicines were prepared on its basis. It is very important that this vegetable can be consumed all year round. In spring, fresh beet leaves, which contain large amounts of vitamins C and A, as well as iron, are used for salads and beetroot vegetables. Therefore, it is very useful for patients with anemia. In autumn and winter, they use root vegetables, which are useful in any form. For treatment, use raw and boiled beets, whole juice (which needs to be defended), diluted or mixed with other juices.

Beets are a rich source of trace elements and vitamins. Fiber, malic, citric and other acids contained in beets enhance intestinal peristalsis and are necessary for digestive disorders and liver diseases, for chronic constipation. Therefore, beets are considered a mild and completely harmless laxative.

Salts of iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, cobalt, present in beets, activate the work of hematopoiesis and regulate metabolism.

Beets are recommended for obesity, hypertension, liver and kidney diseases. Since the substances contained in it help to strengthen the capillaries, lower blood pressure and reduce blood cholesterol, improve fat metabolism, liver function.

Beet pectins remove heavy metals from the body, and it must be included in the diet of all residents of large cities.

Beets are known to stimulate red blood cell formation and increase hemoglobin levels.

Beets contain an organic substance betaine, which promotes the breakdown and absorption of food proteins and participates in the formation of choline. The latter increases the condition and functional activity of liver cells and thereby improves its work, therefore this vegetable can be used as a dietary product for liver diseases.

In terms of iodine content, beets take one of the first places among all vegetables. Therefore, beetroot food is good for people with atherosclerosis and the elderly. It must be included in the diet for people suffering from thyroid diseases. Raw beet juice can be drunk as a means of improving metabolism, removing toxins and strengthening the body. No wonder cosmetologists advise to take it regularly to maintain the freshness and beauty of the face.

The red root vegetable is very useful for oncological diseases. Organic compounds in beets are believed to inhibit tumor growth.

Contraindications

Beets and juice from it have contraindications, they must be known. Avoid beets if you have kidney stones or chronic kidney failure. In acute inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as with gastritis with high acidity, or with exacerbation of gastric ulcer and 12 duodenal ulcer, you should also not eat beets and be treated with it. Due to the high sugar content, it is worth looking for other treatments for diabetes and obesity.

Attention! You cannot use freshly squeezed juice right away, it can cause a strong spasm of the blood vessels. Therefore, the resulting beet juice must be kept for three to four hours, and only then consumed internally.

Folk recipes

Beets increase bowel contractions, so with chronic constipation, especially in old age, you need to eat 100-150 g of boiled beets every day just like that or in the form of salads.

With peptic ulcer of the stomach and intestines... Mix 100 g of honey, 100 ml each of beet, carrot, radish juices, and 100 ml of alcohol. Insist for three days in a cool dark place and drain. Take a mixture of 2 tbsp. l. three times a day for five days.

With hypertensionsqueeze the juice of fresh beets and mix it in a 1: 1 ratio with honey. Take this composition three times a day for 2 tbsp. l. This composition is also recommended to drink after a heart attack during the rehabilitation period.

For anemia or anemiawithin 3-4 weeks you need to drink juice from raw beets, 1 tbsp. in a day. This juice also helps to cleanse the kidneys, liver and gallbladder and boost immunity.

With rhinitis, sinusitis, sinusitisit is advised to bury the juice of boiled beetroot in the nose, 2-3 drops in each nostril.

With inflammation of the gallbladder.Cook the peeled and cut beets into small pieces over low heat until the broth becomes like syrup. Take a quarter cup of this medicine three times daily before meals until you feel better.

With inflammation of the livertwice a day after meals, you need to drink a quarter of a glass of raw beet juice mixed with the same amount of boiled water.

Raw beetroot gruel is applied to inflamed wounds.

Beets work well in the treatment of diabetes.Drink fresh red beet juice regularly for a quarter of a glass 4 times a day.

With anginaadd 1 tbsp to a glass of freshly made beetroot juice. l. apple cider vinegar. Gargle 5-6 times a day, you can swallow one sip while gargling.

And red beets are also a great remedy. from toothache... Put a piece of raw beet on a sore tooth - it will relieve the pain as if by hand.

100 grams of raw beets contains (in% of the recommended daily intake) ():

• Caloric content: 43 kcal (2%).
• Carbohydrates: 9.6 g (3%)
• Fat: 0.2 g (0%).
• Protein: 1.6 g (3%)
• Fiber: 2.8 g (11% DV)
• Vitamin C: 4.9 mg (8% DV)
• Folic Acid: 109 mcg (27% DV)
• Iron: 0.8 mg (4%)
• Magnesium: 23 mg (6% DV)
• Phosphorus: 40 mg (4%).
• Potassium: 325 mg (9% DV)
• Copper: 0.1 mg (4%).
• Manganese: 0.3 mg (16% DV)
• : 5 mg.
• : 55 mg.

Beets also contain negligible amounts of vitamins, minerals and nutrients such as vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, calcium, sodium, etc.

The benefits of beets for the human body

Eating beets is good for your health due to the high antioxidant content in this vegetable. Beetroot helps reduce inflammation, promotes heart health, aids in body detoxification, improves brain function, maintains gastrointestinal health, improves performance in athletes and promotes weight loss. This is what beets are good for for the human body:

1. High levels of antioxidants

Beetroot contains phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and trace elements that help fight various diseases. In fact, beets are an excellent source of a specific type of phytonutrient called betalains, which have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and provide many health benefits ().

Betalaines also act as a natural plant pigment that gives beets their vibrant color. Research in vitro (in vitro) have shown that these powerful pigments can help protect the human body from developing certain cancers and diseases (). In addition, beet tops also contain good amounts, which are two carotenoids that play a central role in eye health and can reduce the risk of diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts ().

2. Reduces inflammation

In many cases, inflammation is a normal response of the immune system, which helps protect the body from harmful foreign organisms. However, scientists have found that chronic inflammation is the cause of most chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and even obesity ().

The common modern diet is replete with inflammation-promoting compounds found in processed foods, foods high in sugar and low in nutrients. Therefore, eating whole foods like beets is a great way to prevent inflammation.

In one study in rats, adding beets to their diet was associated with a reduction in oxidative stress and inflammation (). Human study also confirmed the anti-inflammatory properties of beets, showing that both boiled beets and beet juice were able to lower levels of inflammatory markers in people with high blood pressure ().

3. Promotes Heart Health

Cardiovascular disease is a serious problem around the world. According to a report published American Heart Associationit is estimated that almost 44% of people will have some form of heart disease by 2030 ().

One of the greatest benefits of beetroot juice is its ability to support heart health. Beets are a rich source of dietary nitrates, which act as vasodilators, improving circulation and lowering blood pressure ().

Another small human study in 2017 found that beetroot juice helped lower bad LDL cholesterol in people with uncontrolled blood pressure ().

4. Helps in detoxification

Your body already has its own built-in detoxification system that helps maintain health by constantly detoxifying your body. Your kidneys filter blood and produce urine, your lungs expel carbon dioxide, your skin expels particles through your pores, and your intestines absorb nutrients and flush out waste. Your liver also plays a critical role in detoxification by removing toxins and other harmful substances from your blood.

Beet juice benefits the liver function by helping to work efficiently, so it can aid in the efficient elimination of toxins from the body. One Polish study in rats showed that treating rats with beets helped prevent oxidative stress and reduced lipid peroxidation (a common marker of cell damage) by a whopping 38% (). Likewise, the rat study published in the journal Phytotherapy Researchshowed that beetroot juice helped to increase the levels of specific enzymes involved in detoxification ().

5. Improves brain function

As you get older, your mental and cognitive ability naturally decreases, and your risk of developing diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's increases.

However, due to the high amounts of dietary nitrate in beets, eating them may benefit brain health and may help protect against mental decline in old age. In fact, a human study published in a scientific journal Nitric oxideshowed that in older people eating foods high in nitrates, there was an increase in blood flow to certain areas of the brain involved in executive functioning ().

6. Supports the health of the digestive tract

7. Improves athletic performance

Beets have been found to have a strong performance enhancing effect and are one of the best foods for athletes. This is because nitrates increase the efficiency of mitochondria, which are the organelles responsible for producing energy for your cells ().

A 2011 human study found that drinking beet juice significantly improved cyclists' power output and improved performance by 2.8% (). Another human study found that dietary nitrate supplementation increased the time to exhaustion and increased endurance during high-intensity exercise ().

8. Helps to lose weight

Beets are high in fiber but low in calories, making them a great addition to your diet if you're looking to shed those extra pounds. In fact, every 100 grams of beets contains just 43 calories and 2.8 grams of fiber, which is 11% of its RDA.

When you eat fiber, it travels very slowly through your digestive tract, helping you feel full, which can help prevent overeating and promote weight loss (). According to one US study, an increase in fiber intake of 14 grams per day resulted in a 10% decrease in daily calorie intake and an increase in weight loss of 2 kg over four months ().

The use of beets in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine

Beets have long been revered for their medicinal properties and has many uses in traditional chinese medicine and Ayurveda. The benefits of beets for the human body include cleansing the liver, improving circulation, and calming the mind and spirit.

It is also used as a natural remedy for various diseases and is traditionally used to treat diseases and conditions such as:

• Anemia
• Heart failure
• Toxic liver damage
• Constipation
• Irritability
• Irregular menstruation
• Herpes
• Decreased libido

Beetroot and radish

In terms of flavor, beets have a much sweeter flavor and more delicate texture, while radishes have a pungent and peppery taste with a unique crunch. Radish is commonly served in salads or used as a side dish and condiment, while beets can be used in a variety of dishes, from main courses to desserts.

Despite their high fiber content, radishes are significantly lower in nutrients and do not have the same health benefits as beets. Radish is significantly lower in many nutrients, including folic acid, potassium, and iron, but it contains much higher amounts per serving than beets.

History

Beets are part of the plant family Amaranthaceae-Chenopodiaceae... Also in the same plant family are various varieties of Swiss chard and other root vegetables that have a similar sweet taste. Beet leaves were used by humans in the past, but today many people choose to consume the exceptionally sweet roots and throw away the more bitter but very healthy tops.

It is believed that beet tops were first consumed in Africa thousands of years ago. The popularity of the root vegetable then spread to Asian and European regions, and ancient Roman populations are among the first to harvest beets and feed on their brightly colored roots.

From the 16th to the 19th century, beets became more common and were used in different ways; for example, its bright juice was used as a food coloring, and its sugar was quickly noticed and used as a source of concentrated sweetness. Around the 19th century, beets began to be used as a means for extracting and processing sugar.

Today, the largest producers of beets are the USA, Russia and European countries such as France, Poland and Germany.

How Much Beets Should You Eat Per Day for Optimum Health

There are no specific guidelines for the amount of beets to consume, as this vegetable does not contain any excess amount of any nutrients. You can use it in any quantity you want (if you are not allergic to it). But it is best to stick to a varied diet and use beets as a small part of it, eating no more than 100-150 grams per day.

The harm of beets to the human body

While there are many potential health benefits of beets, there are some people who may need to reduce their intake. This is what beets are harmful to the human body:

• On rare occasions, some people may be allergic to beets. If you experience symptoms food allergiessuch as hives, itching, or swelling, stop using it immediately and see a doctor.
• Also, remember that beets are one of the richest in sugar vegetables, although eating 100-150 grams of beets daily usually does not negatively affect blood sugar or weight. Because of their high sugar content, beets are commonly used in the production of refined sugar.
• This type of sugar undergoes a lot of chemical processing and negates the benefits of beets mentioned above. Beet sugar, obtained by extracting from sugar beet, is just as harmful as other types of refined sugars, such as white cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup.
• Are Canned Beets Healthy? Canned beets can be good optionif fresh beets are not available, but it's important to remember that they contain slightly lower amounts of certain micronutrients, including folic acid and potassium. It may also contain more sodium, so be sure to rinse it before using it to remove excess salt.

Summarize

• Beets are low in calories and high in fiber, antioxidants, and many important micronutrients, including folic acid, manganese, potassium and vitamin C. That is why they have so many health benefits.
• The benefits of beets for humans (women and men) include reducing inflammation in the body, improving cardiovascular and digestive health, improving detoxification, enhancing brain function, improving athletic performance, and reducing excess body weight.
• In Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, beets have been used to treat a variety of conditions, including anemia, heart failure, and liver toxicity. Beets can be eaten raw, boiled or fried, and can be great with, added to salads or used in cocktails.
• When possible, opt for fresh beets as part of a healthy and balanced diet.

It has long become a "national" product. Her homeland is Byzantium. In times Kievan Rus it was brought to Russia, and it gained such popularity that now it seems to be truly our vegetable. A variety of dishes with beets pleases: borsch, beetroot, salads. It is stewed, boiled, pickled, fried, even salted.

1. Boil the beets in the skins - if you peel the vegetable before cooking, it will become watery, tasteless and lose more vitamins and minerals.
2. Do not salt the beets when cooking - salt increases the cooking time and makes the product hard, and nutrients are lost.
3. Do not overcook the beets - spend just as much time on cooking as it takes to make them ready. Otherwise, the root vegetable will be watery. Turn off the hotplate as soon as the fork is easily inserted into the vegetable.
4. Pour hot beets cold water - it will be easy to clean and the useful layer under the skin will remain intact. If the vegetable inside is slightly undercooked, the temperature difference will bring it to readiness.
5. The cooking time of beets depends on their size and "youth". It can be from 15 minutes to 3 hours. Medium-sized beets, placed in boiling water, cook for about 40 minutes. Please note: if you put a vegetable in cold water instead of boiling water, the cooking time increases by 1.5-2 times. Large root crops require heat treatment for 2.5-3 hours.

To speed up the cooking process, experienced chefs recommend boiling the root vegetable for 15-20 minutes, then placing it under cold running water for half an hour. During a thermal shock, it comes to readiness.

Beets have a specific taste, so not everyone can use it in its pure form. By adding a small amount of root vegetables to the dish, you will get a wonderful taste and maximum health benefits. But do not forget about contraindications so as not to harm your health.

Jun 19, 2016 Violetta the Doctor