Its bitterness might be an acquired taste, but it’s a small price compared to the health benefits one can get from eating beetroot. This red-purple root crop has risen as a promising sports performance supplement ingredient.

Emerging research suggests that beetroot has the potential to boost athletic performance and endurance. Current studies are also looking into the potential beneficial effects of beetroot on the brain.

Beetroot improves endurance and performance

Professional athletes training to boost their endurance often turn to beetroot juice before a quick training session. Studies suggest that beetroot juice is perhaps the healthiest form of beetroot since it offers a more concentrated dose of the root’s nutrients and plant compounds than just eating the root itself.

One reason for beetroot juice’s reputation as a go-to workout drink is that it helps prevent fatigue. It has also been found to ease the strain on the muscles. This is because plant compounds called nitrates in beetroot help protect the heart and the lungs from most of the strain during athletic or exercise activities.

Nitrates also improve muscle function. The effect is an overall boost to the individual’s stamina and performance, according to findings of recent studies. One such research published in the Natural Medicine Journal found that drinking beetroot juice helped serious bike riders enhance their performance. Beetroot juice is also a 100 percent legal means of improving athletic performance, so this might have wide-reaching implications on sports.

Beetroot combats dementia

Beetroot also has significant effects on the brain. Studies found that its rich nitrate content helps protect the brain from age-related decline due to reduced blood circulation in the brain, causing brain cells to die and neural tissues to degenerate. These effects can lead to dementia and dementia-related neurological disorders later in life.

To protect the brain, the nitrates in beetroot dilate blood vessels to boost circulation in the brain. Beetroot is also rich in choline, an essential nutrient that helps enhance brain functions like concentration and learning. In addition, choline contributes in regulating mood, forming neural connections and stalling the onset of dementia.

Other science-backed benefits of beetroot

Still not a fan of beetroot after all of that? These other beetroot health benefits might be something to think about:

1. Supports heart health – Nirates help regulate blood pressure for better heart health and a reduced risk of health complications like heart attack and stroke.
2. Fights inflammation – Pigments called betalains found in beetroot skin help combat inflammation.
3. Supports gut health – Beetroot is rich in fiber that softens stool and promotes the proliferation of good gut bacteria.
4. Reduces the risk of cancer – Betalains also double as potent cancer-fighting compounds.
5. Strengthens immune health – Beetroots contain immune-boosting nutrients including zinc, copper and vitamins A and C.
6. Stimulates sex hormone production – Eating beetroot has also been found to boost libido and stimulate the production of sex hormones.
7. Improves vision – Beetroot is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, two plant compounds that protect the retina from inflammation that can lead to vision problems.
8. Supports liver health – Betaines in beetroot assist the liver in flushing out harmful toxins and waste products.

Beetroot is one of the most nutritious superfoods out there. To maximize its potent compounds and health benefits, eat it as part of a balanced diet or add it to a nutritious smoothie recipe.

Learn more about the health benefits of beetroot and other nutritious root crops at Veggie.news.

Sources:

JustBeetIt.com

NaturalMedicineJournal.com

Healthline.com