Beetroot
Beets are delicious, packed full of vitamins and minerals, and easy to add to your diet! Beets are low in calories and fat, but happen to contain a little bit of every vitamin and mineral needed in a diet. They contain a pigment called betalain that gives them their natural deep red color, and also acts as an antioxidant. Beets are an excellent source of folate, vitamin C, manganese, vitamin A, potassium, and iron.
The essential vitamins and minerals found in beets are associated with lower blood pressure, reducing inflammation, promotion of good gut microbiomes, improved athletic performance, and even increased brain function. Beets are known to contain a high number of natural nitrates which are converted into nitric oxide and used to dilate blood vessels and therefore aid in lowering blood pressure. It allows for increased blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain helping improve mental and cognitive functions. The nitrates found in beets are also associated with increased athletic performance. Nitrates help boost the efficiency of the mitochondria (the powerhouse) in your cells, producing more energy and increasing oxygen consumption. Talk about a powerhouse #goodgut food!
Most importantly, beets are high in fiber. One cup of beets contains about 3.5 grams of fiber! Fiber is an important component to maintaining a healthy gut. Dietary fiber also promotes good gut microbiome growth, and it is linked to improved digestion.
Ways to eat it:
You can incorporate beets with just about every meal. Beets can be roasted, juiced, steamed, and even pickled!
Recipe
Ingredients (Makes 4 Servings):
1/4 cup cooked beets, chopped
2 cups jicama, diced
1/2 cup red onion, minced
1/2 cup cilantro, minced
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup jalapeños, minced
1 lime, juiced
1 Tbsp himalayan pink salt
Directions:
Chop all ingredients and combine.
Enjoy!
Heal with Each Meal!
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