Like many other vegetables, beetroot was also cultivated by the ancient Romans, who, among other things, used it as a medicinal crop. In the 19th century, it was discovered that it contains a relatively large amount of carbohydrates, and it is said that Napoleon called for beets to be used as a source of sugar. Currently, it is mostly grown as a root vegetable in Eastern Europe and the USA. It is known mainly from the recipes of Central and Eastern European cuisines and is typically used, for example, in the preparation of the popular borscht. It can also be preserved, added grated to salads, juiced or grilled. However, not only the beetroot bulb is used, its leaves are also very healthy and tasty.

If you prefer fresh beets, it is ideal to grate it together with carrots, add spinach or arugula, tomatoes, or yellow pepper and you have a colorful and, above all, nutritious salad. You can drizzle it with citrus dressing or just add a little olive oil. An excellent combination is also its pairing with cheeses, especially goat or sheep. Beetroot is also served roasted, when it is combined with potatoes, garlic and onions.

It has a pleasant earthy taste, a beautifully bright color, and our grandmothers already knew that it is good for purifying the blood and thus also strengthens the cardiovascular system. And the heart is not the only organ that beets protect. Thanks to the high content of the pigment betacyanin , it supports kidney function, detoxification of the body and speeds up metabolism. Beetroot is incredibly healthy in all its parts.

The leaves contain a large amount of calcium, iron, vitamins A and C, while the bulb contains folic acid, copper, manganese, silicon, potassium and fiber. This is also why it has been used for medical purposes since time immemorial, especially to detoxify the liver. Many studies show that the dye contained in beets has anti-cancer effects. Thanks to the proportion of fiber, it also helps with digestive problems, reduces the amount of cholesterol in the blood, increases the number of antioxidant enzymes and white blood cells, which, among other things, are involved in the body’s defenses. Last but not least, it is worth mentioning the content of the amino acid glutamine, which is one of the basic building blocks of muscles.

However, you don’t have to worry about a higher sugar content, because beets have a favorable glycemic index and are even recommended for diabetics. The minerals contained in it then have a beneficial effect on the hair, nails and skin of the body, while rejuvenating and regenerating the body.

Beetroot is famous as a storehouse of natural substances that prevent cancer. It belongs to the list of ten vegetables that are richest in antioxidants. They are especially contained in beet juice. You can easily prepare it at home by juicing fresh beets, you can add ginger and apple, or oranges and carrots to diversify the taste.