The benefits and harms of beetroot juice for the human body

Juices made from fruits and vegetables are not only products for quenching thirst and enjoying their excellent taste, they are also excellent medicinal drinks rich in trace elements, vitamins, minerals and many other vital components. In modern medicine, there is a whole direction for the restoration and strengthening of health with the help of juices, known as juice therapy.

Today we will talk about the benefits and harms. beet juice, which has found wide application in this area. This culture was used even before our era, and it originated from the wild beet growing in the Far East and India. Today, this root vegetable grows on almost every continent. As you know, beets are highly valued in our area, especially in winter, when the body needs to be replenished with nutrients. So why do we need beet juice, why is it so good and how can it be dangerous?

The benefits of beet juice

• Included in the list of foods that improve blood circulation. For many years, scientists have not been able to prove the benefits of beetroot juice for lowering high blood pressure, but recent studies have confirmed that it is an effective product for hypertensive patients, which are increasing every year. This drink is an excellent natural remedy for normalizing blood pressure, which can replace chemicals that damage and overload the liver and other vital organs. Moreover, the effect of taking one glass of beetroot juice persists throughout the day. Its benefit in hypertension is due to the presence of dietary nitrates and other valuable components in the product. That is why doctors often recommend this inexpensive and natural drink for those suffering from hypertension, which can lead to the development of heart disease and stroke;
• Resolves malignant tumors. The benefits of beetroot juice for the prevention of cancer have been known in folk medicine for a very long time. For a positive effect, it is recommended to add this product to your daily diet and drink it five times a day in small doses throughout the year. This juice will also alleviate the condition of those who already have cancer and are undergoing chemotherapy. Although there is no officially confirmed scientific evidence about the benefits of beet juice in cancer, many experts admit that it is an effective preventive drink against cancer. The antioxidants and betaine in the drink are especially good for preventing stomach and small intestine cancers;
• Ensures the correct development of the fetus. There is a lot of folic acid in this vegetable juice, which, as you know, ensures the full division of new cells in the brain and spine of the unborn baby. In order to prevent congenital pathological problems in a newborn, pregnant women are advised to increase the amount of folic acid consumed, which will be helped by a beetroot drink. However, undiluted beetroot juice can greatly affect the blood pressure of a pregnant woman, which will harm the health of the expectant mother, so it is worth diluting it with the juices of vegetables such as pomegranate or grapes – such a cocktail will saturate the depleted body with all the necessary vitamins and minerals. And if you mix the juice of beets, carrots, apples and pears and drink this cocktail daily, you can significantly increase the level of iron in the body and refuse to take special synthetic drugs that also harm the developing body;
• Prevents the development of iron deficiency anemia. Although there is not so much iron in beet juice, in comparison with many other products, this substance in this drink is of much higher quality and is much easier for the body to absorb. In order not to lead to anemia, you need to worry about the level of iron at the first symptoms of its lack, when drowsiness and fatigue appear, adding this product to your daily diet. This mineral substance provides a normal supply of oxygen to the cells of the body, which gives a person strength and vigor. The ability to improve blood formation makes beet juice effective not only for anemia, but also during menstruation and menopause;
• Increases vascular elasticity. Such properties of beet juice make it possible to use it to prevent the accumulation of cholesterol plaques and remove harmful cholesterol from the blood, thereby preventing the development of atherosclerosis. The increased elasticity of blood vessels also reduces the risk of varicose veins and improves the condition of those who already suffer from this disease;
• Along with cucumbers, carrots and tomatoes, it is an alkaline product. Therefore, the daily intake of beetroot juice allows you to regulate the acid-base balance;
• Cleans the body. One of the main advantages of this drink is its ability to remove toxins and toxic substances from the body, making it easier for the liver. So beetroot juice is a suitable drink on fasting days. In addition to the fact that beets help the liver to cleanse the body, regular consumption of vegetable juice restores the functioning of this internal organ, and the effect of its intake increases if you add lime juice to the drink. So, beet juice is recommended to accelerate recovery from food poisoning and hepatitis;
• Helps heal stomach ulcers. To do this, you need to drink 100 milliliters of beet juice diluted with a spoonful of honey once a week on an empty stomach;
• It has laxative properties. Drinking beetroot juice daily can help cure chronic constipation. It is worth noting the benefits of this juice in a one-time case of constipation;
• Rich in iodine. And this element is known to be very important for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. In addition, its constant intake into the body will help maintain an excellent memory for many years;
• Ensures the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The rich composition of beet juice contributes to the improvement of digestion processes, the breakdown of fatty deposits and the stimulation of the nerve endings of the intestines. Due to the low calorie content of the product, the presence of lipotropic in the composition and the ability to break down fats, beet juice is recommended for people who are overweight;
• Strengthens the immune system. By adding beetroot juice to your daily diet, you will significantly increase the body’s protective functions against infectious and viral diseases, especially in winter;
• It has an analgesic effect. Beets are especially effective for painful periods;
• It can be used not only for internal, but also for external treatment. Beetroot juice is an effective anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agent for gargling with sore throat, nose with sinusitis, chronic rhinitis and problems with adenoids;
• For healthy people, freshly squeezed beet juice is also essential. Its reception increases endurance, strengthens the nervous system, has a rejuvenating effect on the skin and prevents dandruff on the hair. This drink will help restore vitality as soon as possible after prolonged fasting or a serious illness;
• Stimulates the lymphatic system;
• Improves the condition of the gallbladder.

The harm of beetroot juice

Like the beets themselves, the juice of this vegetable also has contraindications for use. However, it should be borne in mind that the effect of the juice is much more powerful, therefore, its use must be treated with extreme caution.

• It is an allergen. For people prone to allergic reactions, before taking beetroot juice for medicinal purposes, it is worth consulting a doctor for the presence of intolerance to its components. This drink can cause unpleasant allergic reactions such as chills, rashes, and other symptoms;
• The juice is not recommended for patients with urolithiasis. This drink can trigger the activation of kidney stones;
• Aggravates rheumatoid arthritis and gout. This is due to the presence of oxalic acid in beets;
• Increases acidity. In this regard, it is not recommended to drink the drink with increased acidity of gastric juice;
• Reduces blood pressure. Therefore, hypotonic people who are addicted to drinking this vegetable juice risk aggravating the condition, further lowering blood pressure;
• Contains a large amount of sugars. For this reason, beetroot juice is far from the best drink for diabetics;
• Forbidden for people with chronic diarrhea. For constipation, beetroot juice is useful for its laxative effects, but for those suffering from loose stools, it is harmful;
• In addition, doctors do not advise drinking beet juice for heartburn and renal diseases such as pyelonephritis, nephrotic syndrome and glomerulonephritis.

In general, the benefits and harms of beetroot juice depend on the correctness of its use, but not every person knows how to do this. People who are fond of juice therapy know that it is best to drink this drink not on its own, but by stirring it with the juices of other vegetables, for example, carrot or pumpkin.

If you drink beet juice by itself, then you need to drink it not immediately after the juicer, but after 2 hours and in a dosage not exceeding 50 grams. This is due to the fact that excessive consumption of this product increases its harmful properties and leads to headaches, nausea and weakening of the intestines.

Nutritional value and chemical composition of beetroot juice

Video about the benefits and harms of beet juice