Welcome to “A healthy you,” your comprehensive feature for known and unknown information on natural healing and treatment of major and minor illnesses.

This week, Beets are all the talk. Beets or Beetroot is an ancient, prehistoric food that grew naturally along coastlines in North Africa, Asia, and Europe. Originally, it was the beet greens (leafy part of the beetroot) that were consumed; the sweet red beetroot that most people think of as a “beet” today wasn’t cultivated until the era of ancient Rome. By the 19th century, however, the natural sweetness of beets came to be appreciated and beets began to be used as a source of sugar.

Beets contain a variety of unique health-boosting nutrients that you may not be getting elsewhere. Beetroots are considered be among the essential vegetables, although it is advisable to use them sparingly due to their high carbohydrate levels. Although beets have the highest sugar content of all vegetables, most people can safely eat beetroots a few times a week enjoying not only their sweet, earthy flavor but also their powerful nutrients that can surely add value to your health. Drinking beet juice may help to lower blood pressure in a matter of hours. One study found that drinking one glass of beet juice lowered systolic blood pressure by an average of 4-5 points.The benefit likely comes from the naturally occurring nitrates in beets, which are converted into nitric oxide in your body. Nitric oxide in turn, helps to relax and dilate your blood vessels, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure.

Another great thing about beets is that they contain a unique source of betaine, a nutrient that helps protects cells, proteins, and enzymes from environmental stress. It’s also known to help fight inflammation, protect internal organs, improve vascular risk factors, enhance performance, and likely help prevent numerous chronic diseases. As reported by the “World’s Healthiest Foods”

The powerful phytonutrients that give beets their deep crimson colour may help to ward off cancer. Research has shown that beetroot extract reduced multi-organ tumor formations in various animal models when administered in drinking water, for instance, while beetroot extract is also being studied for use in treating human pancreatic, breast, and prostate cancers.

Beets are rich in valuable nutrients and fiber, high in immune-boosting vitamin C, and essential minerals like potassium which is essential for healthy nerve and muscle function. It also contains manganese which is good for your bones, liver, kidneys, and pancreas.

Finally, Beets support Detoxification. The betalin pigments in beets support your body’s Phase 2 detoxification process, which is when broken down toxins are bound to other molecules so they can be excreted from your body. Traditionally, beets are valued for their support in detoxification and helping to purify your blood and your liver.

Try making your juices and smoothies with a combination of beets and lighter flavoured ingredients like Sour Sop, Lime or lemon and carrots. Shred Beets in your salad and use to color your favourite baked desserts. That’s it for this week’s “A Healthy You”. Join me next time for more interesting information on using what the earth provided to stay healthy, mind, body & soul.

Thanks for stopping by. Catch me for more “A Healthy You” next week. Don’t forget to like, share and comment on mckoysnews.com and on Facebook. You can also give me feedback by emailing irieamber@gmail.com and find me on Social Media @djambeririefm.