For generations, beetroot was perceived as a not very popular part of school lunches, or as a side dish to the Sunday roast. But in recent years, this inconspicuous bulb has become the center of attention of scientific laboratories and professional athletes. What can we expect from her? More than we think.
Current research confirms that beetroot juice works as an excellent natural helper for our health, which can also push the limits of human endurance. In addition, it also functions as a strong protector of our heart and the entire cardiovascular system – all based on pure biochemistry, which makes beet rightly ranked among the most effective superfoods of modern times. Why wouldn’t we try it, if it’s not one of the most expensive vegetables on store shelves?
Beetroot can be prepared, for example, like steaks, as shown in the YouTube video on the Cuketka.cz channel:
Red doping from the kitchen
If we were to search for the essence of this “red doping”, we would first of all find a high concentration of inorganic nitrates. So if we drink beetroot juice, bacteria in the mouth and enzymes in the body will convert these nitrates into nitric oxide. You may have already heard that it is this molecule that plays a vital role in relaxing and dilating blood vessels in the body. Let us now consider the consequences of such assistance. What happens next?
For athletes and against fatigue
Blood will have more space for its journey through the body, therefore the heart will not have to work as hard to “drive” it through the vascular system. The organs in the body will receive much needed oxygen faster and more efficiently, which the blood distributes throughout the body. It is proven that those who drink beetroot juice regularly consume less oxygen at the same performance. In practice, this means that their body becomes a more energy-efficient machine that tires much more slowly than one that is not supplied with such juice.
Lowers blood pressure
In addition to improving sports performance, beetroot juice is an invaluable aid for people who struggle with high blood pressure. Dilation of blood vessels logically naturally reduces the resistance that blood has to overcome on its way through the body. Studies published in professional publications confirm that regular consumption of beetroot juice can lead to significant results in just a few hours. Antioxidants such as betanin, which by the way gives the beet its typical color, also protect cells from so-called oxidative stress and help with the treatment of chronic inflammation in the body.
Give the beets three hours…
In order for the effect of “legal doping” to be as high as possible, scientists recommend drinking a glass of juice approximately two to three hours before a planned sports (or even work) activity. It is after that time that the level of nitric oxide in the blood reaches its peak. But it is also important to know that if we brush our teeth with a strong mouthwash immediately after drinking the juice, we may lose some of the health benefits. Mouthwash will destroy the beneficial bacteria on the tongue, which are necessary for the conversion of nitrates into beneficial substances.
Don’t be afraid of small changes
Before we begin to regularly consume beetroot or its juice, we should familiarize ourselves with the change that occurs in some cases. It is called beeturia and is manifested by a pinkish or red color in the urine and even in the stool. This manifestation occurs in about 10 to 14% of people and it is good to remember that it is absolutely harmless – it is only a matter of excreting betanin pigment. On the other hand, the appearance of beeturia is usually associated with a lack of iron in the body. Therefore, if we regularly observe this coloration after a glass of beetroot juice, it can be a subtle sign of the body that we should pay more attention to our iron reserves.
