You Can’t Beat These 5 Benefits of Beet Juice

Beets taste like dirt. This is a common observation which immediately steers people away from the bulbous red root. Now, many beet juice drinks taste great and it just may be time to add this elusive, often misunderstood vegetable to your shopping list. 

New research shows that you may reap some surprising health benefits when consuming beets or beet juice. This has particularly been shown when it comes to improving blood circulation and digestion. In fact, Olympic and professional athletes discovered the powers of beet juice years ago yet it is just now reaching the mainstream info stream. 

See if you might gain one or more of these 5 benefits after consuming beet juice. 

Athletic Performance

You may be able to use your oxygen more efficiently which means improved stamina and athletic performance. Beet juice contains high amounts of nitrates (310 grams per 16 ounces of juice) which have been shown to enhance oxygen absorption. 

A study by researchers at The University of Exeter cited that,

“cyclists who drank half a liter of beet juice for six days were 11 seconds faster over a 2.5-mile course and 45 seconds faster over a 10-mile course.”

A half a liter per day may be a bit much so look for concentrated powders, supplements or formulas that give you the nitrate benefits of the juice without the volume. It is believed that the nitrate compounds turn into nitric oxide which allows for less oxygen to be wasted during exercise. 

According to Science Daily, Professor Andy Jones of the University of Exeter’s School of Sport and Health Sciences, said, 

“Our study is the first to show that nitrate-rich food can increase exercise endurance. We were amazed by the effects of beetroot juice on oxygen uptake because these effects cannot be achieved by any other known means, including training…”

Blood Pressure Reducer

Rather than spend the rest of your life on high blood pressure medicines talk to your doctor about drinking beet juice instead. Research shows that high nitrates are also linked to lowering blood pressure. 

Dr. Shannon Amoils, of the British Heart Foundation and senior research advisor commented on a major trial conducted by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), published in the journal Hypertension, 

“This interesting study builds on previous research by this team and finds that a daily glass of beetroot juice can lower blood pressure in people with hypertension – even those whose high blood pressure was not controlled by drug treatment.”

If you have a good juicer or blender like a Vita-Mix, it’s easy to make a morning beet drink directly from the root itself. This simple recipe by Serious Eats could be your perfect starter kit.

Ingredients:

2 beets, tops removed, scrubbed

3 apples

2 orange wedges (optional)

Directions:

Cut the beets and apples into chunks that will fit into the juicer.Alternating between the beets and the apples, push through the juicer and into a cup. Divide the juice between two cups and serve with orange wedges.

Prevent Dementia

More oxygen efficiency means higher brain function and that is exactly another benefit of drinking beet juice. 

As you age the amount of oxygen rich blood that reaches your brain could be compromised. Some scientists believe that this could be one contributor to the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Studies show the potential benefit on cognitive function after consuming a high nitrate diet. Researchers from North Carolina’s Wake Forest University published a study in the journal Nitric Oxide which Healthline reported, 

“…nitrates may help increase blood flow to the brain in older people and help slow cognitive decline. After participants consumed a high-nitrate diet which included beetroot juice, their brain MRIs showed increased blood flow in the frontal lobes. The frontal lobes are associated with cognitive thinking and behavior.”

Natural ED and Diabetes Support

Erectile dysfunction affects millions of men so enhancement drugs for this condition are at the top of the Big Pharma food chain. Yet, drinking beet juice may do the trick instead of a pill. Although studies are limited at this point, just the increase of nitrates (a major ingredient in ED drugs) has been linked to relaxing soft tissue and allowing increased blood supply to the penis.

Diabetes is rampant throughout the USA but, although considered incurable, many have been treated successfully through dietary changes. Beet juice is a big part of these dietary changes along with higher plant-based, less animal products and processed foods. 

Medical News Today reports that, 

“Beets contain an antioxidant known as alpha-lipoic acid, which may help lower glucose levels, increase insulin sensitivity and prevent oxidative stress-induced changes in patients with diabetes. Studies on alpha-lipoic acid have also shown a decrease in symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy in people with diabetes.”

Beets can be consumed as a cooked root, beet juice, reconstituted powder, or capsule supplements. Talk to your health care practitioner to see if beet juice nitrates are safe to consume for you (some medicines and conditions may react negatively). Hopefully these 5 benefits of beet juice may apply to your health. Once again, nature offers a simple remedy rather than relying on synthetic, side-effect inducing pharmaceuticals.