ACTIVE BEETROOT
Here at Specialist Supplements, we have developed a fantastic, high concentration beetroot product that is packed with antioxidants and is used by, amongst others, athletes during times of intense training. Our Active Beetroot capsules contain beetroot extract, beetroot powder, beetroot and natural organic iron for a powerhouse combination. You can’t miss out on this incredible food form supplement.
WHAT IS IT?
The beetroot, also known as the “table beet”, “garden beet”, “red beet” or informally simply as “beet”, is one of the many cultivated varieties of beets (Beta vulgaris) and perhaps the most frequently encountered variety in North America, Central America and Britain.
The beet is a cool-weather biennial that is cultivated as an annual. Beets are grown from seeds sown in early spring and are ready to harvest 60 to 80 days after planting. Beets are not destroyed by frost, but hot weather can toughen the roots. As such, in places with scorching summers, they are planted in early autumn for winter and spring harvest. As such, fresh beets are available all year.
Beetroots are a great source of both carbohydrates and proteins and they are also rich in a number of vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients. In addition, they have a very low caloric value and are almost entirely free of fats. Beetroots do have quite a high sugar content, but at the same time they possess a very low glycemic load. In other words, the sugar conversion process is very slow and it thereby allows for a stabilisation of sugar levels in the blood.
A brief history
Beetroot was first included in the diets of people in the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East (although, at the time, only the leaves were ingested). Then the Romans discovered the root, which was red and carrot-shaped, and used it for a number of medicinal purposes. The beetroot, as we know it today, was only developed in the sixteenth century. Over the years, it became popular in Central and Eastern Europe too.
Modern varieties of beets come from the sea beet, an inedible plant that grows wild along the coasts of Europe, North Africa and Asia. The garden beet has been cultivated for thousands of years. Today, beets are grown in several regions of the world.
POSSIBLE HEALTH BENEFITS
Antioxidants and nutrients
Like other “superfoods“, beetroot (and beet greens) are a fantastic source of concentrated antioxidants (e.g. Betacyanin, the pigment that gives beetroot its colour) and nutrients, including magnesium, manganese, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, soluble fibre, calcium, iron, Vitamins A, B and C, folic acid and betaine. However, it is beetroot’s ability to absorb and store incredibly high levels of nitrate that earns it the super-root title.
Cholesterol reduction
Beet fibre has been shown to have cholesterol-lowering capabilities.
Blood pressure
Beetroot has been shown to lower blood pressure and thus help prevent cardiovascular difficulties. The effect is attributed to the high nitrate content of the beetroot. This is because the high content of nitrates produce a gas called nitric oxide in the blood, which widens blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.
Other studies have indicated the positive effects beetroot may have on human exercise and performances. In studies conducted by Exeter University in Britain, scientists found cyclists who drank a half-litre of beetroot juice just hours before setting off were able to ride up to 20% longer than those who drank a placebo blackcurrant juice.
Cardiovascular disease and liver function (detoxification)
Beetroot’s carotenoids and flavanoids may help reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which could lead to damaged artery walls and ultimately heart attacks and strokes.
Similarly, betaine, a nutrient found in beetroot, lowers plasma homocysteine, a possible risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Several preliminary clinical studies have also shown that betaine may protect against liver disease, particularly the build-up of fatty deposits in the liver caused by alcohol abuse, protein deficiency or diabetes, among other causes. When the liver is operating properly, fats are broken down effectively, supporting weight loss and preventing fatigue and nausea. Similarly, it can help detox your liver, having a knock-on effect for your bloodstream, by helping the body to better eliminate toxins.
Other benefits
• Beetroot contains folic acid, which is essential for normal tissue growth. It is also therefore regarded by many to be an important dietary inclusion for women planning a pregnancy.
• Beetroot contains the mineral silica. This helps the body to utilise calcium, which is important for musculo-skeletal health and is also necessary for healthy skin, hair, nails and bones.
• Beetroot is virtually fat free and is very low in calories. Although it has a medium GI (Glycaemic Index) of 64, it has an incredibly low GL (Glycaemic Load) of 2.9, which means it is converted into sugars very slowly and hence helps to keep blood sugar levels stable.
• Beetroot helps to enhance stamina and, due to its high iron content, helps to alleviate anaemia and fatigue. Young beetroot leaves are a better source of iron than spinach!
• Recent medical evidence has declared beetroot a ‘mood’ food. It has been shown to contain the compound betaine, which enhances the production of the body’s natural mood-enhancer, serotonin.
• Beetroot may help to boost the immune system, through its incredible range of vitamins and nutrients, which mean our bodies are better able to fight off infection. These nutrients help stimulate the re-oxygenation of cells and the production of new blood cells.
• The cellulose content of the beet acts as a bulk residue and increases peristalsis. Its regular use therefore prevents habitual constipation.
• Betaine in beetroot also helps individuals with hypochlorhydria, a condition causing abnormally low levels of stomach acid, by increasing stomach acidity.