Beets: 10 Benefits of Beets
The beetroot also commonly known as the garden beet, red beet, golden beet or just simply beets, offer more than their earthy, sweet taste. Beets are used in a variety of cuisines worldwide. In Eastern Europe, beet juice (in its fermented form) is used as a base for a popular soup known as borscht. In Poland and Ukraine, a relish known as cwikla is made with a combination of beets and horseradish and in Northern Germany, mashed beets or labskaus is a popular side dish. Australia uses pickled beets as a condiment in their hamburgers while the Pennsylvanian Dutch use the juice as a pickling agent for eggs.
Aside from the various methods of preparation, beets are also quite nutrient dense; high in dietary fiber, rich in folate and manganese and contain vitamins A and C along with many other essential nutrients. This is the main reason why beets are so beneficial and should be a regular addition to most people’s diets (in moderation, of course). However, two considerations should be made with the overconsumption of beets. Beets are high in oxalates, which can form small crystals and contribute to the development of kidney stones and the buildup of uric acid in the system. So keep this in mind if you are prone to developing kidney stones or gout.
