Photo: Gary Barnes

When should you not take beetroot?

Beetroots have high nitrate content and might cause nitrate poisoning in infants if given directly. They should be avoided in infants aged three months or below. Before using beetroot for any health effects, talk to your doctor or physician about any precautions you might need to take.

pharmeasy.in - Beetroot: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More! - PharmEasy Blog

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Introduction:

Red beetroot or beetroot, scientifically known as Beta vulgaris, is a root vegetable. Due to various health benefits, it is often referred to as a functional food. Beetroot is grown in many countries worldwide and is a common part of the staple diet in many communities. It is also used as a colouring pigment for manufacturing industries. Beetroot is a chief source of many active compounds that offer several health benefits.1 Because of various nutritional benefits, beetroot has been used for centuries. Some people consume it raw, while it is also added to salads, soups, and other vegetable curries.2 Beetroot is used as a ingredient in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic systems of medicine.3

To learn more about beetroot’s health benefits and uses, continue reading.

Nutritional Value of Beetroot:

Beetroot contains carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and fibre. This colorful vegetable is also packed with vitamins and minerals. The nutritional value of beetroot per 100grams is given below. Nutrient Nutritional value Energy 43 kcal Carbohydrates 9.56g Proteins 1.61g Fibre 2.8g Total Fat 0.17g Calcium 16mg Iron 0.8mg Magnesium 23mg Sodium 40mg Potassium 325mg Phosphorous 40mg Vitamin C 4.9mg Thiamin 0.031mg Riboflavin 0.04mg Folate 109 Î¼g Vitamin B-6 0.067mg Table 1: Nutritional value of beetroots per 100 grams4

Properties of Beetroot:

Because of many phytochemicals like flavonoids, phenolics, betacyanin, betanin, and betanidine, beetroot shows many helpful properties. The potential properties of beetroot are given below:

Beetroot may show antioxidant properties

It may show anti-inflammatory properties

It may show blood glucose-lowering activity

It may show blood pressure-lowering activity

It may show anticancer activity

It may help avoid the development of cancer

It may help with weight management

It may show lipid-lowering activity2

Potential Uses of Beetroot:

As a natural nitric oxide (NO) source, beetroot may act as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory food. It may help manage and prevent several health conditions that are caused due to the low availability of NO, such as heart and brain disorders. Beetroot offers several potential uses, which are discussed in greater detail below.

Potential Uses of beetroot for the heart

Endothelial dysfunction (a disease that affects blood vessels) is the reason for many heart diseases and problems, such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. Beetroot may help regulate endothelial function, potentially reducing heart disease risks.1 Beetroot may also help lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels in the blood.2 Before using beetroot for these properties or any heart-related conditions, make sure you consult your healthcare provider and get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Avoid using beetroot or any other herb as medicine without consulting your physician.

Potential Uses of beetroot for brain

Reduced blood circulation to the brain is the primary reason for the deterioration of cognitive functions (thinking, remembering and reasoning). Reduced blood flow to the brain can lead to brain damage, Alzheimer’s disease, or dementia. Beetroot might help you improve blood circulation to the brain and avoid damage to cognitive functions.1 If you are suffering from any brain-related conditions, you need to reach out to your doctor. Do not use beetroot as means to mitigate or relieve brain-related conditions. Consulting a doctor or psychiatrist will help you make well-informed choices.

Potential Uses of beetroot for inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to trauma, infection and other organisms that can harm the individual. Inflammation is nothing but redness, swelling and pain at the affected site. Beetroot contains many potential anti-inflammatory compounds that may interfere with the inflammation pathways. It might help reduce this inflammatory response and subside inflammation.1 However, if you are suffering from inflammation or swelling anywhere in your body, consult with a doctor before using beetroot. Using beetroot for inflammation without consulting a physician will worsen the condition.

Potential Uses of beetroot for oxidative damage

Components capable of causing oxidative stress are reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). These are generated in response to infection, heat damage, and strenuous physical exercise. Excessive exposure of cells to RONS causes oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can damage important biomolecules like DNA, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. The antioxidant benefits of beetroot might help protect the cells from oxidative stress and damage.1

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Potential Uses of beetroot for cancer

Beetroot might help avoid cancer development owning to its many properties. Beetroot may show anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that might be helpful in cancer.3 Beetroot could also show anti-cancer properties against breast, lung, stomach, and colon cancer cells line during lab studies.2 However, beetroot should not be used for any health condition like cancer without proper consultation with a doctor.

Potential Uses of beetroot for athletes

Beetroot juice is known to contain a high amount of nitrates. Intake of nitrates might be beneficial for athletes as it improves sports performance. There are several ways beetroot may help with sports performance. It may help reduce the oxygen consumption of skeletal muscles, reduce muscle stress, delay the onset of muscle fatigue, and increase the force and power output.5 All these can mean that it may have beneficial effects on athletes, but the studies are insufficient to establish the extent of the effect on humans. Though studies show the benefits of beetroot against various disease conditions, these studies are insufficient and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of beetroot on human health.

How to Use Beetroot:

There are several ways to incorporate beetroot into your diet:

You can make beetroot a part of your regular diet; it can be added to soups, salads, and juices raw or cooked. 2

You can also drink beetroot juice to reap its benefits.5

You should always consult your Ayurvedic physician before consuming beetroot for regular use. They will be the best person to prescribe the correct form and dosage for your health condition. Also, do not discontinue or replace an ongoing modern medicine or treatment with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.

Side Effects of Beetroot:

Beetroot is considered a part of the regular diet. However, there are some reported side effects associated with it: People who eat beetroot may notice red or pinkish urine and panic; worry not, this is due to the compounds that lend beetroot its typical colour. This is not blood.

Many people have complained of skin allergies after eating beetroot.6

If you experience any of these side effects or allergic reactions after using beetroot, stop its use and contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Precautions to Take with Beetroot:

When using beetroot, you need to follow these precautions

Precautions for pregnant women

Consumption of beetroot is considered acceptable during pregnancy.7 However, like all foods, beetroots should be eaten in moderation.

Precautions for breastfeeding women

Eating beetroot if you are a nursing woman does not lead to nitrate poisoning in the infant. The baby is safe as the nitrate content of beetroot does not leach out significantly in breastmilk.

Precautions for children

Beetroots have high nitrate content and might cause nitrate poisoning in infants if given directly. They should be avoided in infants aged three months or below.6 Before using beetroot for any health effects, talk to your doctor or physician about any precautions you might need to take. Consulting with your doctor will help you make better choices and avoid adverse health effects.

Interactions with Other Drugs:

Beetroot can decrease digestion transit time; therefore, eating beetroot might reduce the absorption of many oral drugs. On the contrary, intake of beet fibre diet increased the gastric transit time in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. It is best to avoid beetroot with oral medication.6 Also, if you are taking medicine for any health condition, you can consult your healthcare provider about potential fruits and vegetables to avoid. They will be able to guide you about the safe use of beetroot.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the health benefits of beetroot?

Beetroot offers many health benefits because of the large number of phytochemical and nutritional components present in them. Beetroot can help prevent many heart diseases as well as cancer. It can also reduce blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. Beetroot is good for brain functioning. It also protects cells from inflammation and oxidative damage. It can improve the sports performance of athletes.1–3,5 However, before using beetroot for its benefits or any other health conditions, consult your doctor or healthcare provider.

What are the nutritional benefits of beetroot?

Beetroot contains many nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and dietary fibres. It also contains vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin B-6, riboflavin, and thiamine. Minerals like iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorous, and magnesium are also present in beetroots.4; you can reach out to your doctor or nutritionist before making any changes to your diet.

Are beetroots good for the brain?

Yes, beetroot might help improve the blood circulation to the brain, thereby preventing impairment in thinking, remembering, and reasoning.1 However, if you are suffering from any brain-related condition, you need to connect with a doctor and get a diagnosis. Avoid using beetroot without consulting with a doctor.

Is it safe to eat beetroots raw?

Yes, beetroots can be eaten raw, except in infants under the age of 3 months.2

Are beetroots used as a colouring agent?

Yes, beetroots are used as a natural pigment source called betalains. It is used as a food colouring agent known as E162.1

Can beetroot juice prevent Alzheimer’s disease?

Ingestion of beetroot juice might help improve blood flow to the brain. Improved blood circulation to the brain can help prevent brain damage and Alzheimer’s disease.1 However, if you have Alzheimer’s disease or any other psychological condition, consult with a doctor before you start using beetroot.

References:

1. Clifford T, Howatson G, West DJ, Stevenson EJ. The Potential Benefits of Red Beetroot Supplementation in Health and Disease. Nutrients. 2015 Apr 14;7(4):2801. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25875121/ 2. Akan S, Tuna Gunes N, Erkan M. Red beetroot: Health benefits, production techniques, and quality maintaining for food industry. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation. 2021 Oct 1;45(10):e15781. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jfpp.15781 3. Tan ML, Hamid SBS. Beetroot as a Potential Functional Food for Cancer Chemoprevention, a Narrative Review. J Cancer Prev. 2021 Mar 30;26(1):1–17. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33842401/

4. FoodData Central [Internet]. [cited 2022 May 23]. Available from: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169145/nutrients

5. Zamani H, de Joode MEJR, Hossein IJ, Henckens NFT, Guggeis MA, Berends JE, et al. The benefits and risks of beetroot juice consumption: a systematic review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2021;61(5):788–804. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32292042/ 6. Ulbricht C, Chao W, Costa D, Rusie-Seamon E, Weissner W, Woods J. Clinical evidence of herb-drug interactions: a systematic review by the natural standard research collaboration. Curr Drug Metab. 2008 Dec 19;9(10):1063–120. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19075623/ 7. Ormesher L, Myers JE, Chmiel C, Wareing M, Greenwood SL, Tropea T, et al. Effects of dietary nitrate supplementation, from beetroot juice, on blood pressure in hypertensive pregnant women: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled feasibility trial. Nitric Oxide. 2018 Nov 1;80:37–44. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30099096/ Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation

pharmeasy.in - Beetroot: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More! - PharmEasy Blog

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