In ancient times, populations in Europe drank beer or wine in order to avoid disease brought on by contaminated water. In the North, people drank kvass, a fermented tonic traditionally made from sourdough or rye bread and known for its many health properties, including as an aid for digestion and even a protection against disease.
The word in Russian means “sour beverage” and is still the drink of choice on the street corners of Russia and the Ukraine today. Although grain-based kvass is the most well-known form, the drink can also be made from a variety of other fruits and vegetables, including lemons, currants, raspberries, cherries and, of course, beets.
Nothing Beats a Beet for Health
Beets are by far the most nutritious (and in the West amongst grain-free eaters, the most well-known) kvass base. Even when they are not made into a lacto-fermented elixir, beets are powerhouses of nutrition:
- Beets contain phytonutrients, which are not only the source of their deep red color but also known cancer-fighting substances. Phytonutrients such as sulforaphane found in cruciferous vegetables raise the level of Phase 2 enzymes in the body, whose job it is to destroy disease processes. Recent studies at Howard University in New York have also shown how phytonutrients in beets can reduce tumor growth in animal models. Beets are currently being studied for their effectiveness for breast cancer as well as pancreatic and prostate cancer.
- Beets are a great resource for detoxifying and molecular binding for the excretion of toxins. They are great for cleansing the liver and purifying the blood.
- Speaking of the blood, beets contain natural-occurring nitrates which convert into nitric oxide inside the body. Nitric oxide helps to dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure overall.
- Finally, and perhaps most importantly for healing from cancer as well as prevention, beets help reduce inflammation. They contain a nutrient called betaine, which helps protect cells as well as enzymes and proteins from oxidative stress caused by the environment. This helps keep inflammation at bay and also helps protect the vascular system.
Root beets are virtual treasure troves of nutritional goodness. Perhaps their only downfall is their high sugar content, so no more than three servings per week of raw or steamed beets is the normal recommendation amongst experts.
The Power of Kvass
When beets are converted into kvass through fermentation, the process heightens their nutritional quotient significantly, along with providing gut support with the addition of beneficial bacteria that develop during fermentation.
To create kvass, beets remain raw and are cut into chunks; do not grate the beet or this will release too much sugar and you will wind up with beet wine. Organic beets, of course, are preferred as well as Himalayan or organic sea salt for the brine. Never use iodized table salt and make sure the water you make your kvass with is free of chlorine. Many detailed recipes exist on-line that provide step-by-step instructions on how to make beet kvass. Some use homemade whey to give the fermentation process a kick-start, but one can certainly make it without this ingredient and still make a potent drink.
Perhaps the most exciting discovery about the power of beet kvass is what it may be able to do for individuals who have cancer. Beet kvass, like all naturally fermented raw foods, helps promote healthy cellular function and also chelates the body, gently detoxing it of heavy metals and toxins, including radiation exposure.
In addition, a recent University of Michigan study linked healthy levels of probiotics and a healthy digestive tract to immune system function in mice. Researchers gave the rodents high levels of chemo drugs as well as a substance called Rspo1. Up to 75% of the Rspo1-injected mice survived the lethal dose. This reason? Rpos1 produces stem cells that have the ability to rapidly repair tissue. Our bodies naturally contain the blueprint to produce Rspo-1; what triggers its production is probiotic flora and a healthy gut system overall.
Kvass is a heritage food that has been around for centuries as a tonic for overall health and especially gut health. Kvass made from beets has been used as a part of cancer protocols in Europe for some time now, and the benefits of this healing drink are starting to catch on in the United States as well. Adding kvass or another form of raw, organic, fermented food to your daily routine is simply a must-do for gut health, clean blood, detoxification, cancer prevention, and overall vibrant health.
Dr. Veronique Desaulniers (“Dr. V”) is a best-selling author and founder of breastcancerconqueror.com. She specializes in Chiropractic, Bio-Energetics, Meridian Stress Analysis, Homeopathy and Digital Thermography. After 30 years in active practice, she decided to “retire” and devote her time to sharing her personal, non-toxic Breast Cancer healing journey with others. Her years of experience and research have culminated in “The 7 Essentials™ “, a step-by-step coaching program that unravels the mystery of healing the body. Her website and personal healing journey have touched the lives of thousands of women around the globe.
 Beet Kvass: The Miracle of Russia. http://homestead.org/MicahJanzen/Kvass/BeetKvass.htm
 Kapadia GJ1, Rao GS, Ramachandran C, et al. Synergistic cytotoxicity of red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) extract with doxorubicin in human pancreatic, breast and prostate cancer cell lines. J Complement Integr Med. 2013 Jun 26. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23828331
 Coles LT1, Clifton PM. Effect of beetroot juice on lowering blood pressure in free-living, disease-free adults: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Nutr J. 2012 Dec 11;11:106. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23231777
 Bailey L. Gut reaction: Mice survive lethal doses of chemotherapy. July 31, 2013. http://ns.umich.edu/new/releases/21613-digest-this-cure-for-cancer-may-live-in-our-intestines