“There are many herbs and spices that go well with beetroot
including balsamic vinegar; bay leaves; citrus; chives; garlic;
horseradish; mustard; peppercorns and thyme.”
b
eetroot has one of the Difficult to handle 2. Betacyanin, the pigment that gives
highest sugar contents If you’re handling beetroots, to cure the beetroot its colour, is also an antioxidant.
of any vegetable. up to inevitable ‘pink fingers’, rub with lemon antioxidants are believed to help reduce
10% of beetroot is sugar, juice and salt before washing with soap and the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, in turn
but it is released slowly water. protecting artery walls and reducing the
into the body rather than the sudden the dramatic redness means that risk of heart disease and stroke.
rush that results from eating something since the 16th century, beet juice has been
like standard (not dark) chocolate. used as a natural red dye. It has other 3. Beetroot contains folic acid which
Comparisons to chocolate do not stop uses though; you can use beetroot for an is essential for normal tissue growth.
there, however. Beetroot contains betaine, improvised but accurate simple Litmus test Beetroot also contains iron, so it’s
a substance that relaxes the mind and is (measure acidity). When beetroot juice is particularly great for ladies during
used in other forms to treat depression. added to an acidic solution it turns pink, but pregnancy. Beetroot’s iron content
It also contains tryptophan, which is also when it is added to an alkali it turns yellow. means it’s good for those with anaemia
found in chocolate, and contributes to a Basic chemistry tests aside, beetroot and fatigue.
sense of well-being. has a bunch of health benefits. It’s great
Beetroot comes in all shapes and sizes for boosting stamina and making muscles 4. Beetroot contains the mineral silica.
but the most common is round and deep work harder, it also contains potassium, this helps the body to utilise calcium,
red in colour. other varieties are yellow, magnesium and iron as well as vitamins which is important for musculo-
white, and even candy-striped (with red a, B6 and C, and folic acid. Beets also skeletal health and reducing the risk of
and white concentric circles). Beetroot contain carbohydrates, protein, powerful osteoporosis.
is sweet, earthy and tender to eat (when
antioxidants and soluble fibre.
cooked) and related to the turnip, swede, (continued over)
sugar beet and even quinoa. Healthy boosts
Popular in Victorian times, the three baby beetroot equal one of your
dramatic colour of beetroot brightened recommended five portions of fruit and
up salads and soups. It was also used vegetables a day. so a handful of beets can
as a sweet ingredient in cakes and give you these health boosts:
puddings. Beetroot can be made into a
wine that tastes similar to port. there are
1. the high content of nitrates in beetroot
many herbs and spices that go well with
produce a gas called nitric oxide in the
beetroot including balsamic vinegar; bay
blood which widens blood vessels and
leaves; citrus; chives; garlic; horseradish;
lowers blood pressure. a daily dose of
mustard (as recommended by the roman
250ml of beetroot juice or 1 to 2 cooked
writer, Pliny!); peppercorns and thyme.
beetroot (approx. 100g) can help reduce
Plus, it’s only approximagely 10 carbs
blood pressure and its associated risks.
per portion of 100grams.