MY red little obsession

I LOVE BEETS and HERE is WHY!

Beets have been getting so much attention lately if you haven’t noticed! Ever pick up a Blue Print Cleanse Juice? It’s because of the high nutrient value they rock! I tend to agree with anyone who thinks Beets are a super food, because THEY ARE.

Before I get into the benefits, I want to add that I have LOVED beets since I can remember! My mom used to buy them in the can, because Whole Foods didn't exist and well, she was a busy lady to be boiling them and prepping them. Didn't matter! I LOVED them! I have HER to thank for always giving me my fruits and veggies and keeping me away from the junk!

Being a vegan for many years, beets were a great source of iron for me. Now that I am pregnant, I occasionally have my ground buffalo, but ALWAYS incorporate beets into my salads, as well as drink my Blue Print Cleanse Beet Juice!

You don’t have to be pregnant to get these benefits, but if you are… I would start eating LOADS of them!

·         Increased iron during pregnancy: Pregnant women are recommended to consume beet juice because it will help improve hemoglobin content. The high vitamin C content in beets can help improve absorption of iron in the body.
Consuming beet juice regularly during pregnancy can help women give birth to naturally healthy babies. The nutritional benefits during pregnancy and nursing are many; Try drinking it before & throughout your pregnancy.

·         Improved liver health: Beets contain a nutritious pigment known as beta cyanin. This helps detoxify your blood and liver. By eliminating your body’s toxins, beets help prevent fatty deposits in your body. If you have been consuming a lot of junk food, adding a glass of beetroot juice to your meals can help you recover. Beetroot juice is also considered a healthy remedy for a hangover.

·         Heart Health: Studies have shown that beet juice can help reduce high blood pressure. It can also significantly lower the risk of coronary heart disease, circulatory diseases and strokes. If you are not too keen on drinking a pint of beet juice every day, you can simply mix it with other healthy juices such as oranges and carrots. Try the Blue Print Cleanse Beet juice! I promise you will love it!

·         Storehouse of vitamin C: Beet benefits stem from the many nutrients it contains. Beets are rich in vitamin C and packed with a lot of other nutrients as well. Vitamin C helps boost immunity. It is this high content of vitamin C which also makes beetroot great for your skin. If you want to use beets  for skin, consume a glass of beetroot juice every day. It helps remove toxins and improve skin texture. Due to these properties, you can also use beetroot juice for improving the health of your hair.

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The best thing about using beets  for health is that all its parts can be consumed. Young beetroot greens are rich in iron and have higher iron content than spinach. Beetroot leaves also have several medicinal benefits for diabetes. They contain a large amount of insoluble fiber that helps the food move through the alimentary canal. It also contains soluble fiber that controls blood sugar and cholesterol, improving circulation. It also contains several minerals such as magnesium and phosphorus, along with vitamins such as folic acid and vitamin B6.

Apart from improving immunity and cardiovascular health, beetroots can also help you improve your mood. Beetroots contain a nutrient known as betaine, which can improve the production of the natural mood enhancing compound known as serotonin.

Nutrition Facts

·         Calories: A single serving of beetroots contains about 55 calories while the beetroot greens contain about 25 calories.

·         Proteins: 100 grams of beetroots contain about 2 grams of proteins, and the same amount of beetroot greens contains about 3 grams of proteins.

·         Fat: Both beetroots and beetroot greens contain only trace amounts of fats and therefore, are considered an excellent diet food. The low calories and high nutritional content of both beetroots and beetroot greens makes it a super food.      

·         Carbohydrates: Beetroots contain very small amounts of starches. 100 g beetroots contain about 12 mg of carbohydrates, and beetroot greens contain about 5 mg of carbohydrates.

·         Calcium: Apart from vitamins, beetroots are also a rich source of calcium. 100 grams of beetroot contains about 24 mg of calcium and beetroot greens contain about 144 mg of calcium.

·         Iron: 170 grams of beetroot contain 0.9 g of iron, while 145 grams of beetroot greens contain about 2.8 g of iron. Beetroot greens are known to be a superior source of iron than other greens.

·         Vitamin A: 100 g of beetroots contain 30 IU of vitamin A, and the same amount of beetroot greens contains about 7400 IU.

·         Vitamin C: Beetroots are known to be a rich source of vitamin C. 100 g of beetroots contain 10 mg vitamin C and 100 g of beetroot greens contains 22 mg of vitamin C.