Beetroot (2024)

What is beetroot?

A favourite in 1970s British salads (cooked and pickled in vinegar), beetroot is a root vegetable with dark purple skin and pink/purple flesh. It has also enjoyed something of a deserved comeback in recent years – its earthy, rich, sweet flavour and vibrant colour lends itself to a variety of both sweet and savoury dishes.

Beetroot is a close relative of spinach and chard, and has good nutritional content – it's also reckoned to be a good detoxifier.

Read our guide on the health benefits of beetroot.

How to prepare beetroot

To cook whole, wash but don't peel, then cut the stalks to 2.5cm and leave the root at the bottom; if either are trimmed too much, the beetroot's colour will bleed. Bake in a low oven for 2-3 hrs, either wrapped in foil or in a little water in a lidded casserole dish. Alternatively, prepare it in the same way, then simmer for around 1 hr.

You can also eat beetroot raw, peeled and grated into salads and slaws, or finely shaved as a 'carpaccio'. Wash and trim the leaves to use in salads and or as a garnish.

How to cook beetroot

Roast, chop and dress with walnut oil and chives. Bake in olive oil and cumin seeds, then dot with feta and bake again. Boil for a few minutes, drain and serve with olive oil or butter. Juice from raw and mix with carrot juice for a vitamin-rich drink

How to store beetroot

Fresh beetroot will keep for several weeks in a cool, dark place. You can also buy vacuumed-packed cooked beetroot, which a great for pickling and roasting or simply chopping and adding to salads – these will last for several months in the fridge.

Availability of beetroot

July through January, tapering off during February and March. You can try growing it in your garden or allotment, as it's generally trouble-free. Read more about growing beetroot at Garden Action.

Learn how to grow your own beetroot from the experts at Gardeners’ World.

Choose the best beetroot

Raw beetroot should have fresh (not wilted) stalks and firm roots intact.

Beetroot (2024)

FAQs

Beetroot? ›

The beetroot is the taproot portion of a beet plant, usually known in North America as beets while the vegetable is referred to as beetroot in British English, and also known as the table beet, garden beet, red beet, dinner beet or golden beet. Beetroot can be roasted or boiled.

What does beetroot do to your body? ›

Beetroot and its juice help your heart and lungs work better during exercise. Nitric oxide from beets increases blood flow to your muscles. Some athletes eat beetroot or drink beet juice when exercising to improve their performance. Beets are rich in folate (vitamin B9), which helps cells grow and function.

Is it okay to eat beetroot every day? ›

Can you eat beets everyday? It's always best to follow a varied diet. Eating a small amount of beetroot every day is unlikely to do any harm, but a high intake could lead to low blood pressure, red or black urine and feces, and digestive problems for anyone with a sensitivity to the nutrients.

What organ is beetroot good for? ›

For instance, betalains (mainly betanin) are the effective antioxidant extracted from beetroot. Several lines of evidence have shown that betalains might reduce the risk of some cancers, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, liver and kidney damage (Kavitha et al., 2013).

Who should not take beetroot? ›

Anyone who has low blood pressure or is currently taking blood pressure medication should speak with a healthcare professional before adding beets or beetroot juice to their diet. Beets contain high levels of oxalates, which can cause kidney stones in people with a high risk of this condition.

Can beetroot burn belly fat? ›

There is no evidence to suggest that beetroot can directly burn belly fat. Beetroot is healthy and nutritious. But no single food can cause fat loss in a specific body area. Following a balanced, calorie-controlled diet and engaging in regular physical activity are essential.

How soon after eating beets is urine red? ›

Here's how the test works, according to Gonzalez: "Eat at least half of a raw or cooked beet (do not use fermented pickled red beets) with your meal. If you notice red urine or stool 12 to 24 hours later, your transit time is normal. If it happens in less than 12 hours, your body may not be absorbing nutrients.

Are beets high in sugar? ›

Moreover, beets are low in calories with zero cholesterol and a small amount of fat. However, the root is high in sugar and carbohydrates, so while you can consume the greens on top of the root in unlimited quantities, you should only have the root a few times a week. Beets are best from early spring to late fall.

Are beets healthier, raw or cooked? ›

Cooking beets won't give you the same health benefits because heat destroys betalain pigments and hampers nitrates, but it's still good for your health. To preserve the maximum health benefits, grate raw beets into salads or steam/roast beets just long enough to tenderize them.

What is the healthiest way to eat beets? ›

Retain the good-for-you nutrients in beets by roasting them or sautéing them instead. Or lightly steam them for just a few minutes, suggests Doyle.

Does beetroot cleanse the colon? ›

On the same note, beetroot helps in whole body detoxification. It's a great purifier and does so by pulling toxins into the colon where they can then be evacuated. Pretty neat, right? The betaine found in beets has also been shown to improve digestion.

Do beets cleanse the liver? ›

Beetroot juice: Beetroot juice is a great way to detox your liver and improve its function. They are high in antioxidants and help to cleanse the blood. They also promote healthy liver function by helping to break down toxins. Try adding some beet juice to your diet for better liver health.

What are the pros and cons of beetroot? ›

Beetroot juice has higher nitrate levels; while typically, these nitrates might help with blood pressure, drinking beetroot juice in the morning might lead to health risks due to the formation of potentially cancer-causing substances in the long run. Allergy to beetroots is very rare.

How many pieces of beetroot per day? ›

Dose of beets is based generally on their nitrate content. The ideal content is between 6.4 and 12.8 mg per kg of beets. To put it in layman terms, one cup (136 gram) of beets is sufficient daily.

Is beet good for hair? ›

Surprisingly beetroot juice is not only good for your health but also your skin and hair. It is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C which reduce skin damage and it also prevents hair loss. Surprisingly beetroot juice is not only good for your health but also your skin and hair.

What are the side effects of eating beetroot everyday? ›

People may have red or black colored stools and pink or red urine when eating more beets or beet products. These are usual side effects and are not harmful. While side effects are typically mild, the proposed benefits of beetroot powder are not guaranteed.

What does beetroot do to your bowels? ›

Ultimately, the fiber from beets adds bulk to stool while also softening it, decreasing the chance of constipation. Or, if you tend to have loose and watery stools, the fiber may aid in solidifying stool as it absorbs water and adds bulk.

Does beetroot clean your system? ›

It helps in the detoxification process because of the betaine it contains, which helps prevent and/or reduce fatty deposits in the liver. On the same note, beetroot helps in whole body detoxification. It's a great purifier and does so by pulling toxins into the colon where they can then be evacuated.

Is it safe to take beetroot supplements everyday? ›

There is no recommended dosage and it varies among products and brands. Beet supplements are likely safe regardless of form when taken in food or when consumed as instructed on labels. They can make urine or stools appear red or pink, which is not harmful, but may cause alarm for its resemblance to blood.

References

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