Beets-Wonder Food May Be Super Medicine

I wonder about the first person hungry enough to take a grey bulb from the ground, brush off the dirt and eat it. There is nothing to attract one to the Beta Vulgaris, the beet root. It is a root vegetable and comes covered in grime, showing no promise of the gorgeous ruby color hidden within. Once the skin is peeled back, the richness inside is unexpected and astonishing. Once cooked, the flesh is tender and almost buttery in flavor. Beets have high sugar content but are still low in calories. It is indeed a wonder food.

Beets are also a source of heart-healthy folate and a great source of the antioxidant manganese and heart-healthy potassium. Beets contain dietary fiber, free radical scavenging vitamin C, copper, magnesium (good for bone health), and energy-producing iron and phosphorus. Beets are full of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and C. They are also a wonderful source of calcium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, sodium and iron. Beets also contain choline, folic acid, iodine, organic sodium, iron and fiber.

The beet has been cultivated for thousands of years and it is believed to have spread from the Mediterranean into Babylonia. An interesting note here. Daniel, a prophet and dream interpreter in the Holy Bible was a captive in Babylonia. He and his friends refused to eat the King’s rich food and insisted on their own diet. After ten days of only vegetables and water, the young men were healthier and looked better than the ones who ate the King’s food and drank wine. One must consider that Daniel ate beets. The antioxidants and vitamins from the beet and the detoxification effect on the body may have given Daniel glowing complexion and great energy.

Some disorders that can be alleviated with regular beet use are: Acidosis, Anemia, Atherosclerosis, Blood pressure, Cancer, Constipation, Dandruff, Detoxification, Gastric Ulcer, Gall bladder and kidney ailments, Gout, Liver, bile, Varicose veins

Scientists today are learning more about the nutrient quality of beets and the possible use in fighting aging and cancers. The primary ingredient in beets is betanin and is high in antioxidants. In recent studies Betanin has reduced tumor cell growth. These include breast, lung, stomach, colon, prostate and nerve cell tests. While not proof, it is encouraging and many natural and homeopathic doctors are recommending beets and beet extracts to people who suffer from these cancers.

The dark red violet pigments in beets are Betacyanins. They come from betalamic acid and an amino aciddetermines the pigment of the particular beet. Many of these betalains are function as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory molecules. They are also water soluble and have a nitrogen content unlike other foods.

The phytonutrients in beets and their related family of plants are growing in treating nervous system disorders. One of the antioxidents highly concentrated in beets is lutein. This shows great promise in the treatment of eye disorders. Over 1.75 million people in the United States alone have macular degeneration. This number is estimated at more than 3 million by the year 2020. Can a simple vegetable be the dietary change that prevents this from happening? Possibly.

More and more, we are learning that a person’s diet is directly related to whole body health. Diabetes and heart disease can been reduced or eliminated through diet. Cancers, muscle and nerve degeneration and even pain can be relieved by consuming whole foods. Beets can be consumed straight from the garden with minimal effort.

To get prime benefit from beets, eat at least one medium sized beet every week. Since beets detoxify the body, one should exercise caution if experiencing dizziness or lightheadedness. I personally had this happen. I ate two medium sized beets and drank the broth they were cooked in and about an hour later had a bout of dizziness. It lasted several hours. The next day I felt great and had superior energy and stamina. Now I am less enthusiastic in my quest to fill my body with the benefits of beets. I limit intake to one medium beet per day. Start at one per week and build up as your body becomes accustomed. Drinking more water to flush out the toxins will help also.

The detoxification process is a metabolic step called Phase 2 where toxic substances in the body are neutralized by being made water soluble and excreted through the urine. If you are exposed to toxins in your work or other daily contact, please do further research. Beets can lessen the time toxins are in the body and provide quick cleansing. Note: Regular consumption of beets can cause urine to become red or pink in color. This condition is known as beeturia and is not harmful. I mention it because it can cause concern if one is not aware.

Beets, especially the greens contain measurable amounts of oxalates. Oxalates can become too concentrated in body fluids and crystallize causing health problems. People with kidney or gallbladder problems may want to avoid eating beet greens. Oxalates may also interfere with absorption of calcium from the body. Yet, the ability of oxalates to lower calcium absorption is relatively small and does not outweigh the ability of oxalate-containing foods to contribute calcium through the use of foods.

Beets as mentioned earlier have anti-inflammatory benefits as well. This happens through the inhibition of COX 1 and 2 enzymes that trigger inflammation. The betaine nutrient in the body comes from the B complex vitamin choline. Choline regulates inflammation in the cardiovascular system by preventing excess buildup of homocysteine. atherosclerosis and other heart disorders may be reduced or prevented by regular intake of the simple beet which contains betaine. Betaine also is of help with Type 2 diabetes for the same reasons.

In addition to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, beets also come with high fiber benefits. The particular type of fiber found in beets provides exceptional digestive tract because of the polysaccharides pectin the food contains. This contributes a difference than the typical dietary fiber found in most high fiber foods.

Beets, like any food, are best served organic and fresh as possible. Many local farms, farmers markets and natural food stores sell beets year round. Beets are easily obtained elsewhere though. They are grown in over thirty states and harvested all through the year. At peak season and from your own garden you can obtain the greens as well as the beet root. Then the attached greens found above ground are more tender and can be consumed also. They are full of vitamins and minerals (actually more than the roots) as well as other mentioned nutrients. the greens should be bright and fresh looking. Limp or brown greens are signs that the beets might be old or even close to spoiled. When harvesting or buying beets, look for medium sized bulbs that are firm and smooth. Young beets can be washed well and cooked skin on as they are so tender.

Vegetables should never be overcooked and beets are no exceptions. The longer a food is cooked, the less nutrition it will have. Beets (and all veggies) should still be crisp to the teeth. They can be steamed about 15 minutes then the skins removed. They can be peeled with a peeler, cut into quarters or slices then cooked until fork tender. Beets will stain the hands so wear gloves or rub a bit of oil over hands before handling.

Beets are easy to prepare and are delicious in any recipe. I am including some great links to get you started in your recipe search. There are thousands and most families have a pickled beets recipe from a great grandmother. Ask for it and use it. Also PLEASE try the chocolate beet brownie linked below. It is so delicious that your mouth will thank you for days!

I hope this short article has encouraged you to look into the health benefits of beets. I have seen a change in my own life since I added them to our table on a regular basis. I am not a physician or medical practitioner of any kind and this is what works for me. As I become more health conscious, I find simple and nonprocessed foods are keeping me vital. Consult your doctor if you have any health concerns. I do not and am forever grateful to God who created the foods that keep us well.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/topics/beets/index.html

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/559139

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/series/recipes_for_health/beets/index.html

 chocolate beet brownies-- http://www.mariquita.com/recipes/beets.html

http://www.justvegetablerecipes.com/inxbet.html

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/roasted-beets-and-sauteed-beet-greens/Detail.aspx

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/Beets-and-Greens/Detail.aspx

http://www.foodnetwork.com/topics/beets/index.html

freeze beets    http://southernfood.about.com/od/beets/p/blfrbeets.htm

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/pickled-beets/Detail.aspx

pickled beets http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/cat/1577/

Other helpful links:

 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+1&version=NIV

http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/amd.htm

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