Beets have an undeniable hearty and healthy appearance. Their rich, deep-red color is unmatched as are their wide range of health benefits. Traditionally, they were considered blood builders. Eastern Europeans would customarily eat beets in their borscht and women used them to prevent pregnancy-induced anemia and birth defects due to the unique combination of iron, vitamin C, and folate.
Since blood carries oxygen and nutrients, it affects every part of the human body; hence the benefits of beets are plentiful and just might qualify them as a super-food. Beets have an exceptional nutrient blend of minerals, vitamins, and unique antioxidants. Beets contain the common antioxidants found in vegetables—carrotenoids and anthocyanins, but in addition have a unique type of powerful antioxidant called betalains. There are two basic types of betalains: betacyanins, which give beets their rich, red-violet pigment and betaxanthins which are the pigment in yellow-orange beets. Betalains are unusually high in nitrogen and have been shown to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support. In addition, beets are an excellent source of folate, manganese, potassium, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and copper.
Today, athletes around the world are tapping into beets’ unusual and amazing mix of phytonutrients. The blood building benefits of iron and vitamin C support oxygen and nutrient delivery for increased energy, stamina, and endurance. This, in conjunction with other mineral electrolytes, such as magnesium and potassium will improve muscle function. The nitrogen of the betalains will provide building blocks for the body’s production of nitric oxide, which is used to open up blood vessels, further improving circulation and reducing blood pressure. Multiple studies have shown that consuming beet juice can improve exercise performance. In one study, scientists from Sheffield Hallam University in the UK, found that by consuming just 4.7 oz. of beetroot drink reduced 5k times by 49 seconds and 31 seconds. They also noticed a reduction in systolic blood pressure.
Betalains also support the body’s ability to suppress inflammation by inhibiting the enzymes COX1 and COX2 used by the body to trigger the inflammatory process. This can be very helpful to an athlete in improving recovery and performance, but also can help anyone reduce the risk of any diseases associated with chronic inflammation such as cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes. The detoxification and antioxidant benefits of beets will also support the body’s ability to rid itself of waste buildup during exercise such as lactic acid and protect itself from cell damage by oxidative stress. All of which will provide even more improvements in recovery and performance for athletes. The nutritional properties of beets can be extremely beneficial to everyone, not just athletes.
Salus Red Beet Crystals (US/CA) are produced with the utmost care. This naturally sweet tasting, instantly soluble product is a pure concentrate, carefully obtained from the juice of freshly pressed, certified organic beets. Each 200 g jar contains the equivalent of 2.5 kg of fresh-pressed organic beets. Fast, convenient, and great tasting.
