Beetroot isn’t a veggie Viagra; here are several more uses for it

For all the wrong reasons, beetroot has been making headlines.

Australian store shelves have been lacking canned beetroot in recent months due to supply problems. A tin was allegedly selling for more than AUD 65 on eBay at one time.

However, as supplies grow, we focus on the potential health advantages of beetroot.

As UK TV doctor Michael Mosley proposes, is beetroot a vegetable Viagra? What about beetroot’s other purported health advantages, including lowering blood pressure and enhancing regular exercise?

What the science says is as follows:.

What makes beetroot unique?

Beetroot is considered a “superfood,” along with items like berries, almonds, and leafy greens. It has higher-than-average concentrations of several vitamins and minerals per gram.

Beetroot is particularly high in minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins B and C.

Its antioxidant levels aren’t much changed by most cooking techniques. However, as compared to raw beetroot, pressure boiling does reduce levels of carotenoid, a form of antioxidant.

The process of turning beetroot into juice, chips, powder, or capsules may compromise its antioxidant potential. But this may range throughout items, even within brands of beetroot juice.

Is beets a veggie kind of Viagra?

Beetroot juice is reported to have been utilized as an aphrodisiac by the Romans.

However, there isn’t much scientific proof that beetroot enhances libido. This is not to say that it doesn’t. Rather, libido or other characteristics of sexual health have not been examined in the great majority of scientific investigations examining the effects of beetroot.

How might it function?

The nitrate in beetroot is converted to nitrite and subsequently to nitric oxide when we consume it, thanks to chemical interactions involving bacteria and enzymes. Nitric oxide facilitates blood vessel dilatation, which may enhance circulation.

Beetroot, rocket, and spinach are the most abundant dietary sources of nitric oxide that have been studied in clinical trials.

It’s also believed that nitric oxide helps testosterone regulate blood flow in males both before and during sex.

The heart’s and blood vessels’ circulatory systems may benefit from beetroot’s capacity to increase blood flow. Theoretically, both men’s and women’s sexual functions may benefit from this.

So, it makes sense to speculate that there could be a little relationship between beetroot and being ready for sex, but don’t expect it to completely change the way you have sex.

What more could it possibly do?

Because beetroot contains anti-tumor and antioxidant properties in humans, it has drawn more attention in recent years.

Not all of the active components and benefits of beetroot have been confirmed by clinical research.

On the other hand, oxidative stress and inflammation-related diseases, including diabetes and cancer, may benefit from beetroot therapy. The goal is to enhance, rather than replace, your usual medications with beetroot supplements or more beetroot food.

There is evidence that beetroot juice may assist those with high blood pressure in reducing their systolic blood pressure—the first number in your blood pressure reading—by 2.73–4.81 mmHg, or millimeters of mercury, the standard blood pressure measurement unit.

According to some experts, this decrease is similar to the outcomes of several drugs and dietary changes.

According to other study, even those who are not hypertensive but are at risk may benefit.

Additionally, beetroot may enhance sports performance. For endurance athletes (those who run, swim, or bike great distances), some studies indicate minor advantages. These trials examined the food in a variety of forms, including beetroot juice and supplements made of beetroot.

How to increase your intake of beetroot

The benefits of eating beetroot in its whole, juiced, and supplement forms have been shown by science. Thus, there are many different methods to increase the amount of beetroot in your diet, even if you are unable to get beets in cans.

You might attempt:

1. Raw beets: Slice or grate raw beetroot to serve as a crisp topping for wraps or sandwiches. Add beetroot to salads or coleslaw.

2. Cooked beetroot: For a flavorful side dish, roast beetroot with olive oil, salt, and pepper. As an alternative, steam the beetroot and serve it by itself or combined with other foods.

3. Beetroot juice: Use a juicer to prepare fresh beetroot juice. For more flavor, you may mix it with other fruits and veggies. Additionally, you may prepare a juice by blending raw or cooked beetroot with water and straining it.

4. Smoothies: You may enhance your favorite smoothie with beetroot. It goes well with fruits like oranges, apples, and berries.

5. Soups: Beetroot adds flavor and color to soups. Beetroot soup is traditionally made with borscht, but you may try other recipes as well.

6. Pickled beets: You may either purchase or create pickled beets at the store. This may be a delicious addition to sandwiches or salads.

7. Beetroot hummus: For a colorful and nourishing dip, mix cooked beetroot into your homemade hummus. Additionally, beetroot hummus is available in supermarkets.

8. Grilled beets: To get a smokey flavor, slice your beetroot and broil it.

9. Beet chips: To create crispy beetroot chips, thinly slice fresh beets, sprinkle the pieces with olive oil and your preferred spices, then bake or dry them.

10. Cakes and baked goods: For a colorful and moist touch, add shredded beetroot to brownies, cakes, or muffins.

Exist any drawbacks?

There is extremely little evidence of harmful side effects compared to the many research on the health benefits of beetroot.

Beeturia, or crimson or purple urine, may occur if you consume a lot of beetroot. However, this is usually not harmful.

There have been reports of dangerous compounds found in beetroot-based nutritional supplements in several countries, however Australia has not received any such complaints.

What’s the lesson to be learned?

Beetroot may improve sex somewhat for both sexes, most likely by improving circulation. However, it’s not likely to become a vegetable Viagra or change the way you have sex. We are aware that a variety of variables influence sexual wellness. There is only one diet.

For personalized assistance, see your physician or a certified dietician in practice.