The secret of beetroot

Do you like beetroot? Well, we do but many of us share rather unpleasant childhood memories about beetroot, right? The red stuff that was added to those infamous salads served in school canteens. Sterilized beetroot tasted like nothing so no one got particularly excited about it. But beetroot was somehow stubborn and kept returning to school canteens. But today, we are much smarter and we rediscovered its taste and of course its beneficial properties. Beetroot comes in many different cultivars these days. It is much smaller than fodder or sugar beets and it is typical for its strong red colour which is caused by so-called betacyanins found in the cells.

History of beetroot goes back to 3 000 years!

Beetroot is one of the oldest crops known. It was used even before potatoes. Even its leaves are edible and everyone is familiar with the typical sweet taste of its root. Beetroot was often used as a medicine too. Historians find records about beetroot in the ancient Mesopotamia which dates back some 3,000 years. The ancient Romans pickled beetroot and used it in salads, and as a matter of fact, beetroot was one of the basic foods of the Slavs.

Photo: Pixabay

A great medicinal root

What are the healing properties of beetroot? Well, the root contains many substances which are beneficial to the human body. These mainly include:

• iron,
• sodium,
• betaglucans,
• magnesium,
• calcium,
• potassium,
• phosphorus
• and many other substances.

It also contains some rare elements such as lithium, caesium and rubidium, as well as vitamins B, C and E, or folic acid for example. Betacyanins mentioned earlier are believed to have anti-cancer effects. Beetroot also supports the immune system and helps the body with regeneration processes. It also contains fibre. A much needed stuff for intestinal hygiene.

Photo: Pixabay

Special rejuvenating effects

For example, the substances contained in beetroot improve the elasticity of hair, skin or nails. It is believed that the consumption of beetroot prevents aging and improves the overall mental state. You can grow beetroot conveniently, at home. You can buy it too of course and it is usually very cheap and if you don’t want to bother with peeling, buy the pre-cooked, peeled beetroot packed in vacuum and there you go. A bag full of healthy stuff!

Preview photo: Pixabay