Scientific Name: Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris Conditiva Group
Higher Classification: Chard
Rank Name: Cultivar group
Origin: Sea beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima)
Cultivar Group: Conditiva Group
Beets
Published Date: 6/17/2023 5:53:34 AM
What is Beet:
Beets, also called Beetroots, are loaded with many vitamins, minerals, inorganic nitrates, pigments and are low in calories and fat. Health benefits include lowering blood pressure due to nitrates which reduces the risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and stroke. Beets also increase athletic performance by improving oxygen use and reducing exhaustion. (More Details)
What are its benefits:
Beetroots and beetroot juice have many health benefits, especially for heart health and exercise performance.
Lower Blood Pressure:
- High blood pressure can damage your blood vessels and heart. What’s more, it’s among the strongest risk factors for heart disease, stroke, and premature death worldwide.
- Eating fruits and vegetables rich in inorganic nitrates may cut your risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure and increasing nitric oxide formation.
- Studies show that beetroots or their juice can reduce blood pressure by up to 3–10 mm Hg over a period of a few hours.
- Such effects are likely due to increased levels of nitric oxide, which causes your blood vessels to relax and dilate.
Increased Exercise Capacity:
- Numerous studies suggest that nitrates can enhance physical performance, particularly during high-intensity endurance exercise.
- Dietary nitrates have been shown to reduce oxygen use during physical exercise by affecting the efficiency of mitochondria, the cell organs responsible for producing energy.
- Beets and their juice are often used for this purpose because of their high inorganic nitrate content.
- Consumption of beetroots may improve running and cycling performance, increase stamina, boost oxygen use, and lead to better exercise performance overall health.
Ayurvedic Properties of Beet:
- Beets help to manage the conditions like an iron deficiency in the body which occurs due to an imbalance of "Pitta" dosha.
Regional Names:
- English: Beetroot; Hindi: Chukandar; Kannada: Kempu gadde, Beetrootu, Rakthagadde; Sanskrit: Palakya, Raktagrnjana; Malayalam: Bittruttu, Cencira, Neycira; Tamil: Cencirai