If you’re like most people, when you think about beets, you imagine that red root vegetable that stains everything. You probably don’t know that beets are actually one of the most nutritious vegetables you could eat, and its juice is the healthiest part of the beet.
The first reason you should be drinking beet juice is because of its impact on the circulatory system. Beets are full of nitrates, which your body transforms into nitric oxide. This, in turn, helps improve your blood flow and lower your blood pressure. Beet juice specifically is beneficial for blood pressure; cooking the beets actually reduces the amount of nitrates.
Beet juice is also great at helping the body digest fat and increase metabolism. The juice cleans out the body and helps reduce stomach acid. Because of its high fiber content, beet juice is also great for treating constipation. Just remember that beets do cause your pee and bowel movements to look reddish, so don’t freak out.
Why You Should Be Drinking Beet Juice
If you’re interested in a exercise drink that is not packed with artificial colors or flavor, beet juice is the answer. It boosts your energy and stamina before you exercise, and helps your body recover after a hard workout. The juice balances out the oxygen in your body.
To make beet juice at home, you can use either a juicer or a blender. To juice, simply wash 1-3 fresh beets and cut them into quarters before pushing them through the juicer. With a blender, you need to first peel and chop the beets into small bits. Add your beets with ¼ cup of into your blender. If the juice is still too chunky, add more water. To strain out the pulp, pour the juice through a cheesecloth. You can also make smoothies with beets and fruit like strawberries, bananas, and so on. These are called “red smoothies” and are gaining popularity alongside green smoothies.
