Packing your plate with a variety of veggies is known to be beneficial to our wellbeing, and each type serves its own role in keeping us healthy.
With about a third of UK adults suffering from high blood pressure – an issue costing the NHS more than £2.1 billion annually – finding ways to combat this is vital. High blood pressure contributes to the majority of strokes and heart attacks and can also lead to heart disease, vascular dementia, and kidney disease.
Dr Sooj, who has become an online sensation thanks to his helpful health tips, suggests that one vibrant veg is particularly effective for those aiming to lower blood pressure – it might even enhance your sporting prowess. Dr Sooj explained on TikTok: “Are beetroots good for you? Beetroots are excellent.
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“Dietary nitrate has been proven to lower blood pressure both centrally and peripherally. On top of this it can also help improve athletic performance.”
He suggests that individuals who aren’t keen on beetroot’s flavour could blend it with apple or ginger or incorporate it into fruit juices. Beetroots are not only high in fibre but also packed with essential nutrients like iron, vitamin C, vitamin B8, potassium, and iron – all while being low in calories.
They boast anti-inflammatory benefits and might aid in enhancing digestive health. The British Heart Foundation highlighted: “A regular glass of beetroot juice can reduce signs of inflammation in blood vessels that are known to be increased in people with coronary heart disease.”
Beetroot can also now be bought in powder form and used as a pre-workout for fitness enthusiasts. According to Vivo Life, this ingredient “improves power, endurance, and recovery.”
Consumers of beetroot should note it can taint urine pink or red, a phenomenon occurring up to 48 hours after ingestion and referred to as beeturia. This harmless reaction results from the vegetable’s natural dye, betanin, and should not trigger concerns.