What are beet roots used for? Is a beet a vegetable or a root?

Meet the beet. Followers of “The Workplace” could understand it because the mainstay of Schrute Farms. Others could have casually tossed them into dialog, remarking that somebody has turned “beet pink” from embarrassment.

Whereas the crimson-colored vegetable has deep roots in American tradition and colloquialisms, it hardly ever appears to make it onto the plate the place it belongs.

That is as a result of folks simply do not perceive the beet, stated Catherine Champagne, a professor of dietary evaluation and dietary counseling at Louisiana State College’s Pennington Biomedical Analysis Middle in Baton Rouge.

“You take a look at a beet and suppose, ‘What can it do for me?’ They really have extra advantages than you’ll suppose,” she stated.

Beets, or beetroot, are low in energy and excessive in phytonutrients, wholesome compounds produced by crops. That should not be a shock given the vegetable’s hallmark deep pink shade, Champagne stated.

“The very first thing that involves thoughts after I take a look at a beet is the colour,” she stated. “The extra coloration a vegetable or fruit has, the extra phytonutrients it has. There’s rather a lot to be stated for that coloration.”

Appreciation of the beet’s medicinal properties dates again to the traditional Romans, who used it to deal with constipation, enhance circulation, combat fevers and even thought of it an aphrodisiac. However trendy science has zeroed in on simply what offers the beet its therapeutic powers.

Beets are excessive in nitrates which analysis suggests enhance cardiovascular well being in a number of methods. Some research present beetroot juice supplementation could decrease blood stress and enhance blood circulate. It will increase oxygen uptake, lengthening the time it takes to grow to be fatigued, which permits folks to remain lively longer.

Beets additionally comprise antioxidants, compounds in meals that assist restore DNA and preserve good cell well being, and so they have anti-inflammatory properties, decreasing the danger for quite a few power illnesses. Due to this, the beet is gaining recognition as a dietary method in managing heart problems and most cancers.

Beets are low in fats and excessive in fiber. Half a cup of boiled beets comprises 0.15 grams of fats and 1.7 grams of fiber, in line with the U.S. Division of Agriculture. They’re wealthy in nutritional vitamins C, A and Ok, which contribute to good bone well being, together with a number of different B nutritional vitamins, which can defend towards dementia and reminiscence loss by enhancing blood circulate to the mind.

In addition they embody excessive ranges of folate (vitamin B9), necessary for wholesome cell development and pink blood cell formation. A half-cup serving of boiled beets has 68 micrograms of folate, which supplies 17% of the every day worth of the vitamin. “That is vital if you’re speaking about only one meals,” Champagne stated.

However simply how do you eat this difficult lump of pink roots?

Most research on the well being advantages of beets are based mostly on consuming its juice, however beets additionally could be helpful when consumed uncooked, in salads, boiled, baked, became chips or eaten dried. Beets could be pickled to allow them to be loved year-round. Just like the roots, the leaves could be eaten and comprise excessive ranges of nutritional vitamins A, Ok, C and E.

Champagne stated she likes to roast beets in olive oil and spices, mix them into dips with yogurt and garlic or use them to brighten up coleslaw. She additionally boils them with onions after which chills them. “It is a refreshing style.”