Beetroot is healthy, good in taste and easily available throughout the world. It is good for overall health and generally a low cost vegetable. The nutrition profile of beetroot shows us that it contains many important nutrients including two basic types of betalains- betacyanins and betaxanthins. Betalains are phytochemicals and great source of antioxidants. Beetroot is low in fat and calories and also good for the diabetics as it’s a low glycemic food. But one of the most important health benefits of beetroot is that it is good for the heart. The heart healthy nutrients in beetroot make it a superfood for the heart. Many studies recently proved that regular consumption of beetroot or beetroot juice is excellent for cardiovascular health.

Beetroot contains many nutrients which are very helpful in the treatment and prevention of heart disease. It contains heart healthy nutrients such as potassium, manganese, folate or folic acid, dietary fiber, Vitamin C, choline (a B vitamin) and betalains. The presence of Vitamin C, manganese and betalains makes it a great antioxidant rich vegetable. Beetroot also has anti-inflammatory properties. Both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are excellent for keeping the heart healthy. Beetroot green are also good sources of heart healthy nutrients such as Vitamin C and Vitamin K.

Betalains (such as betanin, isobetanin, and vulgaxanthin) contain anti-inflammatory properties and that’s why they protect heart from inflammatory diseases. Betalains rich beetroot is a good food against the heart diseases and conditions such as atherosclerosis or any other chronic unwanted inflammation. Choline in beetroot is also very helpful in the prevention of atherosclerosis as it reduces the build up of homocysteine. Dietary fiber plays an important role in reducing cholesterol levels. Antioxidant carotenoids especially beta-carotene in beetroot fights free radicals, protects heart from the oxidization of cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. Potassium content in beetroot is excellent for controlling and stabilizing the blood pressure levels.

A recent study by the UK based researchers show us that daily consumption of 500 ml beetroot juice can reduce the blood pressure levels and also maintain good cardiovascular health. According to the researchers blood pressure levels drop significantly 2-3 hours after the consumption beetroot juice. It is also said that nitrate in beetroot plays very important role in the prevention of hypertension. Researchers say any nitrate rich vegetables are very good in preventing hypertension and for overall cardiovascular health.

Dr Andrew Webb from the William Harvey Research Institute at Barts says: “Dietary nitrate underlies the beneficial effects of a vegetable-rich diet and highlights the potential of a 'natural' low cost approach for the treatment of cardiovascular disease."

Although, this study was well conducted but experts believe more study related to beetroot juice and hypertension are need to be done.

But, overall for its excellent nutritional profile, beetroot is considered as an important and essential vegetable for the heart and cardiovascular health.

Sources:

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2007/January08/Pages/Beetrootandbloodpressure.aspx

http://www.foodeu.com/articles/Heart+Healthy+Beetroot.aspx

http://www.whfoods.com/

http://www.highbloodpressureinfo.org/