The Health Benefits Associated With Eating Beets

Beets are so healthy that you may even consider them to be medicinal. While most people eat the root part of the beet, the greens are also edible, delicious, and equally packed with nutrients. In fact, when beets were first grown on the coast of the Mediterranean, only their greens were eaten. Beet greens are rich in vitamins A and C, as well as iron and calcium.

The more commonly consumed beetroots are an excellent source of a wide variety of nutrients, such as manganese, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and vitamin B6. Plus, they are rich in fiber. Because of their nutritional density, beets can provide a variety of health benefits when they are consumed. One benefit for which beetroots are very well known is their ability to help cleanse and detoxify the liver. The juice of beetroots has been used throughout history to stimulate the liver's detoxification process.

Recent studies have also shown that beetroots can help the body to fight cancer. Betacyanin, the pigment that gives red beetroots their very deep crimson color, has proven to be a powerful and natural cancer fighting agent. This pigment makes beets both unique and valuable, because it is naturally found in only a small number of plant families. Beetroots are also very high in fiber. This betacyanin and fiber combination makes beetroots terrific at fighting colon cancer.

To reap the maximum health benefits of beets, one should try eating them raw. Most people don't know that you can eat beets raw- but you can, skin and all. Just give them a good scrubbing first, since they are roots. Raw beets have a surprisingly sweet taste. If you prefer not to eat them raw, you can juice them and drink the beet juice. Dried beet root powder can also be found in health food shops. However, as with all fruits and vegetables, it is always best to get your nutrients from the whole food. Additionally, if you consume beet juice, is best not to overdo it, because if you consume too much beet juice at once, your body may produce waste more rapidly than the liver can dispose of it.

Whereas raw beets are best, the nutrients in beets are only slightly diminished when they are cooked. Beet green can be steamed or sautéed, and beet roots can be roasted whole then peeled. You can also try preparing a traditional beet root soup called borscht. However you choose to prepare beets, make them a frequent addition to your diet to enjoy their multiple health benefits.

More valuable than silver or gold in a real meltdown... the new "Survival Seed Bank" produces thousands of pounds of nutrient-dense food for pennies per pound... enough to feed friends and family forever! If you purchased these same seeds "retail" you could very well pay over $600, if you could even find them. That makes the Survival Seed Bank package a ridiculous bargain. For just $149.00 plus $15.00 shipping and handling (total $164.00), you get enough seeds to plant a full acre survival garden! You'll have the best germinating seeds available. Don't wait another second - call or order online right now, while you're thinking about it: http://www.survivalseedbank.com/

Benefits of Beets

Growing beetroot in the backyard garden is a must for people who take their health seriously.

It is a rich source of carbohydrates, has no fat, it is a great source of fibre and has built up a reputation throughout Europe that it has anti-carcinogenic properties in the red colouring matter.

It's not common knowledge that the leaves, which are also edible, are a great source of iron and foliate, along with beta-carotene. Studies are being undertaken to substantiate the claims that beetroot increases the uptake of oxygen by as much as 400 per cent. Beetroot is one of the many vegetables with a range of antioxidants which help to fight various diseases.

It can be eaten in a variety of ways either raw, steamed, boiled or baked.

The leaves when freshly picked should be crisp and fresh looking. They make a great addition to salads or you can cook mature leaves and use as one of the five recommended daily serve of fruit and vegetables. Try them in stir fry or cook in a small amount of water for a short time only.

If you are looking to add folic acid or fibre to your diet then this can be found in the roots of beetroot.

Beetroot can be preserved in a variety of ways for later use such as canned, pickled, frozen or stored in a cool dry environment. Alternatively you can keep them stored in a refrigerator for a couple of months by removing all but a couple of inches off the tops and placing them in an unsealed bag.

To preserve beetroot, gently wash off any soil, leaving the skin and roots in place till your ready to prepare for eating. If you intend cooking, leave the skin on along with some of the stalk to prevent the beetroot losing its colour and nutrients.

You can also juice the beetroot and drink it. Beetroot juice is harmless and at the same time, beneficial, because it is high in nitrate content. Use raw beetroot in a juicer; you'll find that the liquid is a stimulating drink and is also benefical to the digestive system.

A further benefit of drinking beetroot juice, according to research done in the UK at the William Harvey Research Institute at Barts and the London School of Medicine, is that drinking 500ml a day can possibly lower blood pressure. This might be a simple way to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, and might also be an additional approach that one could take in the modern day battle against rising blood pressure. It is important that you check with your doctor and take his advice. If you are already being treated for hypertension do not change the course of treatment without consultation with your physician.

Colin Price has been producing fruit, vegetables and flowers in his garden for several years. Find out how you too can be successful by using the information he shares on his website at => http://www.OutdoorAndGarden.com