Beets certainly aren’t the tastiest of vegetables. However, they provide all sorts of benefits for the human body and mind, especially in older adults. If you do not currently consume beets, it is time to add it to your daily regimen.
Mix it into your daily smoothie, along with an apple and your taste buds won’t notice its presence. Yet your body and mind will certainly benefit from its incredible array of nutrients.
Beets Heightens Your Brain Power
Wake Forest University researchers have determined the consumption of beet juice prior to physical activity boosts brain activity in older individuals. The nutrients within beet juice improve the efficiency of the functional networks within the brain’s motor cortex as well as the secondary connections between the cortex and insula.
The juice works so well that it even makes older brains function similar to those of youngsters. However, this level of functionality is only possible if beet juice is consumed prior to a workout. So drink a glass of the juice before your next walk around the block, game of tennis, swim session or other physical activity.
Beets Improve Blood Flow
Beets are chock full of dietary nutrients that are converted to nitrite. The nitrite becomes nitric oxide following consumption. Nitric oxide improves blood flow across the entire body. Furthermore, the juice from beets combines with bacteria within the mouth to form nitrites.
Beets phytonutrients are key to reducing hypertension. Adequate blood flow is especially important for older adults who are not as active as they were in years past. Blood flow tends to slow during the aging process.
Several studies have also determined that the nitric oxide provided by beets also heightens exercise performance in older individuals as well as those in middle-age and even youngsters to boot. Nitric oxide is a powerful molecule that moves to sections of the body that need oxygen. In particular, the brain requires an abundance of oxygen. Beets combined with exercise is the perfect way to supply the brain with ample oxygen for improved mental processing and the subsequent transfer of oxygen to other parts of the body.
The Healthy Superfood You Have Been Looking For
Beets are a nutritional powerhouse. They are loaded with folate, potassium, betaine, manganese, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Betaine is quite helpful for detoxing purposes. The typical older adult has a considerable buildup of toxins. Consume beets on a daily basis and its betaine will help push those nasty toxins right on out of your system.
Betaine also reduces the amino acid known as “homocysteine” that damages red blood vessels, induces strokes and boosts the risk of heart disease. It even detoxifies the liver to boot.
Beets Even Improve Your Skin
The folate within beets prevents the onset of undesirable skin issues such as the formation of unsightly wrinkles. This superfood protects the body’s cells and even spurs the regeneration of new skin cells as well as other cells throughout the entire body. Numerous studies have found that beet juice even fights the formation of cancerous tumors.
Beet Juice to Reduce Constipation
Countless people endure constipation. If you are having trouble staying regular, beets might be the solution you have been looking for. The nutrients inside this super food have a sterling reputation for reducing digestive issues and boosting the metabolism. Beets strong digestive effects are an excellent all-natural means of eliminating or at least mitigating constipation.
Improve Your State of Mind and Mood
Down a daily glass of juice made from beet greens and beetroots and you will enjoy a powerful dose of tryptophan and betaine. Both substances help ease the mind. Betaine is commonly used for the treatment of depression to boot.
The Best way to Consume Beets
Like many other uber-nutritional foods, beets do not taste that great. However, you can mix this superfood into your diet by adding it to your morning and/or pre-workout smoothies. Add a little apple to completely overpower any unpleasant taste. Drinking beet juice in its liquid form maximizes the vegetable’s nutritional content.
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