Health Benefits of Beetroot Juice

Beetroot juice is gaining recognition for its impressive health benefits and is even used by world-leading sports teams and Olympic athletes. From supporting heart health and boosting athletic performance to potentially helping with blood pressure and diabetes management, this vibrant red drink offers advantages for various aspects of health. Let’s explore what makes beetroot juice such a valuable addition to a balanced lifestyle.

What is Beetroot?

Beetroot is a nutrient-rich root vegetable known for its vibrant red or purple colour. Originating from ancient Greece, beetroot can be enjoyed in many forms—whole, powdered, or as juice. Packed with fibre, vitamins, and minerals like vitamin C, folate, and potassium, it’s a powerful addition to a balanced diet. Its natural compounds, including nitrates and antioxidants, have earned beetroot a reputation as a true superfood.

Is Beetroot Good for You?

Absolutely! Beetroot’s benefits are supported by a range of studies highlighting its role in promoting overall health. This remarkable vegetable is particularly beneficial for cardiovascular health, athletic performance, and blood pressure regulation, among other aspects of well-being.

Why is Beetroot Good for You?

1. Nutritional Superfood
   Beetroot is rich in essential nutrients, including folate, vitamin C, iron, and manganese, which collectively support immune function, red blood cell production, and energy metabolism. The high fibre content also aids in digestion and maintains a healthy gut.

2. Boosts Athletic Performance
   The nitrates in beetroot juice convert to nitric oxide in the body, which helps widen blood vessels, improving blood flow and oxygen delivery to muscles. Studies suggest that drinking beetroot juice before exercise may enhance stamina and endurance. Check out our blog Can Beetroot Juice Improve Running Performance? for more.

3. Helps Lower Blood Pressure
   Beetroot juice has been shown to lower blood pressure due to its nitrate content. Nitric oxide relaxes and dilates blood vessels, which improves circulation and reduces blood pressure levels. Learn more about how Beetroot Lowers Blood Pressure.

4. Beneficial for Diabetes Management
   With a low glycaemic index and high fibre content, beetroot may be advantageous for those with diabetes. It helps manage blood sugar levels and may even reduce insulin resistance, making it a helpful food for diabetes care.

5. Enhances Brain Health
   Nitric oxide from beetroot juice may also improve blood flow to the brain, enhancing cognitive function and potentially lowering the risk of neurodegenerative diseases—conditions in which brain cells progressively deteriorate. These diseases, impact memory, thinking, and movement as brain function declines over time. The increase in blood flow from nitric oxide helps supply vital oxygen and nutrients to brain cells, which may support better brain health and offer some protection against cognitive decline​

6. Supports Digestive Health
   The fibre in beetroot aids digestion by supporting a healthy gut microbiome and preventing constipation. Additionally, beetroot’s betalains—pigments with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties—are known to benefit overall gut health.

7. Reduces Inflammation
   Beetroot’s betalains have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce chronic inflammation, a known factor in various diseases including heart disease and cancer.

8. Promotes Skin Health
   Rich in antioxidants, beetroot helps combat free radicals that contribute to premature ageing. Its vitamin C content is essential for collagen production, making beetroot beneficial for skin health and radiance.

Who Should Avoid Beetroot?

While beetroot offers numerous health benefits for most people, it can sometimes lead to beeturia—a harmless condition where urine or stool may appear red or pink after consuming beetroot. Although harmless, beeturia can be surprising if you’re not expecting it! For further details, read our blog post, Does Beetroot Make Your Poop and Pee Red?.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Much Beetroot Juice Should I Drink Per Day?

For most people, 150-250ml of beetroot juice daily provides enough nitrates and beneficial compounds to support health, though individual needs may vary, so consulting a healthcare provider is recommended. 

Britts Superfoods suggests starting with 1 to 2 sachets of Organic Pure Beetroot Juice or Beetroot and Maqui Juice per day to support cardiovascular health and stamina. For a stronger boost, 2 to 4 sachets daily can enhance nutrient intake and health benefits. Those seeking noticeable changes can begin with 4 to 6 sachets daily for two months to maximise the juice’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, aiding circulation, cognition, and overall vitality.

How to Make Beetroot Juice?

Making beetroot juice at home is simple. Start by peeling and chopping fresh beetroots, then blend them with water or an apple for a touch of sweetness. For extra flavour and health benefits, add ginger or a squeeze of lemon. Strain to remove the pulp if you prefer a smoother juice.

For a convenient alternative, Britts Superfoods offers raw, fresh organic beetroot juice that’s freshly pressed straight from their farm to your door. The juice is delivered frozen, so you’ll always have it ready to go, making it easy to enjoy the benefits of beetroot without the prep time.

Is Beetroot Good for Weight Loss?

Yes, beetroot is a low-calorie, high-fibre food that helps keep you full for longer, reducing overall calorie intake. Its role in improving blood flow can also boost exercise performance, making it beneficial for weight management.

When is the Best Time to Drink Beetroot Juice?

If you’re looking for an energy boost or improved performance, drinking it about 2-3 hours before exercise might help. The nitrates in beetroot take time to work, so this timing allows them to kick in. For general health benefits, you can enjoy beetroot juice any time of day.

Beetroot juice is more than just a vibrant addition to your diet. From improving blood flow and reducing inflammation to aiding in weight loss and enhancing skin health, the benefits of drinking beetroot juice are wide-ranging. Whether you’re looking to boost athletic performance or simply add a nutrient-dense food to your diet, beetroot is a natural choice with proven advantages. Embrace this superfood and unlock the numerous health benefits it offers.