Illustration by my very talented sister (instagram: mollymole9)
Recently there's been so much hype on super foods like kale (which I'm still trying to condition myself to actually like), spinach and chia seeds but where's the emphasis on beetroot?? Well here is all you need to know on why you should incorporate this vegetable into your diet.
Whilst touring the nutrition department at the University of Reading on an open day, I saw an article on how eating beetroot can increase vasodilation (the widening of a blood vessel) and therefore decrease diastolic blood pressure. This is due to beetroots high nitric oxide levels and this lowered blood pressure in turn decreases the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Furthermore, beetroot is full of antioxidants and soluble fibre reducing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (the 'bad' type of cholesterol) which helps to protect the artery walls. This protection lowers the risk of developing Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and also decreases the likelihood of having a heart attack.
The silica in beetroot helps the body utilise calcium which is well known for it's role in bone strength. It therefore aids skeletal health and decreases the risk of developing osteoporosis. It also has a high iron content and is therefore essential in the diet of someone who is anaemic or even a vegetarian.
Even the leaves of a beetroot are beneficial to health as they aid digestion.
Follow my blog for a future post on how I like to incorporate beetroot into my diet!
You can find me on instagram @alicebethanyy
Thanks for reading and let me know in the comments of any foods that you want to know the nutritional benefits of!