In our last post we discussed nutritional value of beetroot. In this reading we will discuss research backed therapeutic benefits of beetroot.

Lowers blood pressure

As per a research published at US National Library of Medicines, dietary nitrate in beetroot has shown ability to lower blood pressure in adults.

High blood pressure increases the risk of serious diseases such as stroke and various heart diseases.

The blood pressure lowering effect found to be for systolic blood pressure i.e. a pressure on heart when it contracts instead of diastolic pressure i.e. a pressure on heart in relaxed state. It is also found that raw beetroot powder exerts greater effects than boiled or cooked one.

The effect on blood pressure is because of high concentration of nitrate in beetroot. Human body converts dietary nitrate into nitric oxide, an organic compound that widens blood vessels resulting in drop in blood pressure level.

Beneficial for Gut Health

As per this study in 2020, beetroot contains various bioactive organic compounds, such as diet fiber, betalains, pectic-oligosaccharides and phenolics, together improves gastrointestinal health, promotes growth of probiotics and modulates good gut bacteria.

Lowers Nitrative & Oxidative Stress

Another study found that Betalain, found abundance in beetroot reduces nitrative and oxidative stress. Nitrative and oxidative stress results from the reactive nitrogen and oxygen and damages cells and DNA.