Introduction:
Beetroot is scientifically known as Beta vulgaris. It belongs to the family Betoideae. This beautiful ruby red root originated in North Africa and spread through the Mediterranean Sea. It is widely cultivated in Europe, America and Asia. Beetroot juice is a traditional remedy; it has multiple health benefits and prevents various diseases; it is thus considered a functional food. Beetroot is commonly known as red beet, table beet or garden beet.1
Nutritional Value of Beetroot Juice:
The beetroot juice has a high amount of nutrients that are contributed by bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, betalain, folates, inorganic nitrates, vitamins and minerals.1
| Nutritional components | Value/100 ml |
| Energy | 38 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 8.75 g |
| Sugar | 8.75 g |
| Protein | 0.42 g |
| Calcium | 17 mg |
| Potassium | 242 mg |
| Iron | 0.75 mg |
| Phosphorus | 17 mg |
| Sodium | 54 mg |
| Magnesium | 17 mg |
| Folate | 30 µg |
| Vitamin C | 2.5 mg |
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Properties Of Beetroot Juice:
Beetroot juice might have different biological activities that may help in managing various diseases.1 The properties of beetroot juice are given as follows:
- It may be an anti-oxidant
- It may be an anti-microbial (reduces the growth of micro-organisms)
- It may be a potent anti-fungal agent
- It may have a potential anti-inflammatory property
- It might have an anti-proliferative (prevents the spread of cancer cells) potential
- It might act as an anti-cancer agent
- It may have an anti-mutagenic (reduces the frequency of mutation) property
- It may act as an anti-depressant (relieves depression)
- It may help with cholesterol-lowering
- It might help with blood pressure-lowering
- It might help with blood glucose-lowering
- It may be hepato-protective (prevents damage to the liver)
- It might help with kidney toxicity
- It may act as a potential diuretic (promotes urine formation)
- It may be a potential carminative (relieves flatulence)
- It might have a chemopreventive (prevents cancer development) property
- It might help in Immune modulation.1
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Potential Uses of Beetroot Juice:
Beetroot might be regarded as a functional food; beetroot juice might have the potential to help against many conditions and chronic diseases.1 Some of the potential uses of beetroot juice are described as follows.
1. Potential uses of beetroot juice for cancer
Beetroot juice contains betalain, a bioactive compound, which may show potential anti-oxidant activity. Lab studies on cancer cells showed that beetroot juice might have a useful effect on cervical, ovarian and bladder cancer cells. It might also have the potential to stop the growth of cancer cells in the tumours. Drinking beetroot juice daily might help with tumours in the lung, liver, skin, food pipe and bowels.1 However, extensive research is required to know about the exact mechanisms and saefty of using beetroot juice for cancer.
2. Potential uses of beetroot juice for obesity
The potential health uses of beetroot juice for weight loss might be due to the presence of red betalain pigment, which might show potent anti-oxidant activity. Various studies have shown that beetroot juice might help with body weight.. The low calories of the green leaves and stems of beetroot might be used by an Ayurvedic physician for preparation of formulations that might help obesity and aid weight management.1 Therefore, an Ayurvedic physician should be consulted for use of beetroot juice for health effects.
3. Potential uses of beetroot juice for blood pressure
Variations in blood pressure cause various heart diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Beetroot juice might prove to be a good addition to your daily routine for heart health as it contains a high amount of nitrates. Nitrates might help with high blood pressure (hypertension). The dietary nitrate of beetroot juice gets converted to nitric oxide, a potential vasodilator that might effect blood pressure by enlarging the size of the blood vessels; thus, beetroot juice might be a potent bioactive agent to help with high blood pressure.3 However, more research is required to be sure of the above-mentioned effects of beetroot juice on blood pressure.
4. Potential uses of beetroot juice for diabetes
Beetroot juice might help with elevated blood glucose. A recent study has reported that it may significantly help with blood glucose levels by increasing insulin response. The possible mechanism may be due to the bioactive compounds such as polyphenol, nitrate and flavonoids. The polyphenol-rich beetroot juice may be responsible for the late rise in glucose and insulin responses after every meal.4 However, more research is needed to quantify such effects and state them as concrete facts.
5. Other Potential uses of beetroot juice
- A glass of of beetroot juice each day may help with the damage caused by lipids and may alleviate inflammation and pain of joints, bones and blood vessels.1
- Raw beetroot juice might have potential effects on dental and oral health.3
Though there are studies that show the benefits of beetroot juice in various conditions, but these are insufficient and there is a need of further studies to establish the true extent of benefits of beetroot juice on human health.
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How To Use Beetroot Juice?
The uses of beetroot juice are given as follows:1
- Beetroot juice may be used in traditional medicine.
- Beetroot is used as a raw vegetable and cooked as a whole, baked, boiled or canned. It is processed into juice, pickles, salad or combined with various food dishes.
One should always consider an Ayurvedic physician before consuming beetroot juice in large volumes for its health beenfits. A glass of beetroot juice is safe though.
You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.
Side Effects Of Beetroot Juice:
Beetroot juice causes the following side effects:
- Drinking beetroot juice every day by individuals who cannot metabolise red betalain pigment can lead to passing red coloured urine; the condition is known as beeturia.1,4 Once you stop drinking beetroot juice, immediately the red coloured urine will stop, so don’t worry. Therefore, you should consult an Ayurvedic physician for proper guidance on how and what to do.
- Beetroot juice has higher nitrate levels; while typically these nitrates might help with blood pressure, drinking beetroot juice in the morning might lead to health risks due to the formation of potential cancer-causing substances, in the long run.3
- Allergy to beetroots is very rare. Only a few reports are recorded and that too due to inhaling the vapour of cooked beet. General symptoms of an allergic reaction include throat tightness, generalised skin rash, coughing and wheezing.5
However, these side effects should be reported to your Ayurvedic physician and immediate management is recommended. Therefore, it is advised that you take utmost care and consult an Ayurvedic physician before using beetroot juice.
Precautions To Take with Beetroot Juice:
Following general precautions should be taken while drinking beetroot juice:
- Drinking beetroot juice in moderate amounts might have positive or negative health effects. If any health-related issue appears, consult your Ayurvedic physician. Therefore, do not delf-medicate or dicontinue an ongoing medical treatment.
- The immune system of children are weak and in their developing stages. However, beetroot allergies are reported in infants; hence, extra precautions are necessary to avoid beetroot in infants.5 Consult your Ayurvedic physician to prevent such problems in children.
- Individuals with low metabolism should avoid drinking beetroot juice as it might affect the process of urination and cause beeturia.1 However, if such an issue appears, contact your Ayurvedic physician and get it addressed as early as possible.
Kindly note that beetroot juice should not be used as a medicine or in excess quantities without the conultation of an Ayurvedic physician. Kindly do not self-medicate, substitute or discontinue any kind of treatment on your own as it might have unknown effects.
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Interactions With Other Drugs:
Beetroot juice may interact with medications causing undesirable reactions during the metabolism process; e.g., bettroot juice interaction may increase the activity of specific drugs.1,4
- Beetroot juice is rich in nitrates, which might negatively interact with certain blood pressure-lowering medicines, leading to a severe drop in blood pressure.4
- Beetroot juice is used in drug formulations because of the red pigment. This red pigment acts as a colourant; when combined with anti-cancer drugs, they reduce drug-related side effects.1
You should consult your doctor and tell them about the medicines that you are on. Please do not make any changes on your own.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the advantage of beetroot juice in constipation?
Beetroot juice contains dietary fibre that helps remove digestive waste through the intestines, thereby preventing constipation.1 However, more research is required to be entirely sure about the effects of beetroot juice on constipation.
What are the essential components of beetroot juice?
Beetroot juice contains essential components such as vitamins, minerals, phenolic compounds, ascorbic acids, carotenoids, nitrate and betalain pigments.1
How does beetroot juice help in better vision?
One of the potential uses of drinking beetroot juice is that it might help with macular degeneration (loss of vision). The presence of carotenoids might help with cataract in the eyes.1 However, there is a need for more studies to be sure about the use of beetroot juice for better vision.
Can we use beetroot juice to boost energy?
Yes, beetroot juice might help to boost energy. Beetroot juice contains bioactive compounds such as vitamin C, fibre and vital minerals such as potassium and manganese that are helpful for healthy nerves and the functioning of muscles. They may also reduce the usage of energy (ATP); in this way, beetroot juice might boost our energy.1
What are the benefits of beetroot juice for athletic males?
The potential effect of daily drinking of beetroot juice is that it may help the sports performance in recreationally active men as it may help time to exhaustion, maximal sprint performance and high-intensity intermittent performance.3 However, there isn’t sufficient research to claim such effects. Therefore, there is a need for more research to do so.
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