Image Credits: extrawellness.net, Huffington Post Uk

Beetroot is one of the vegetables that is usually served with many delicases. Some prefer using it to prepare garden salads but here are some of the health functions of beetroot you may need to know.
Beetroot juice may help lower your blood pressure. Researchers found that people who drank 8 ounces of beetroot juice daily lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Nitrates, compounds in beetroot juice that convert into nitric acid in the blood and help widen and relax blood vessels, are thought to be the cause.
Besides, drinking beetroot juice increases plasma nitrate levels and boosts physical performance. Health study 2012 showed that trained cyclists who drank 2 cups of beetroot juice daily improved their 10-kilometer time trial by approximately 12 seconds, while also reducing their maximum oxygen output.

Straight beetroot juice is low in calories and has virtually no fat. It’s a great option for your morning smoothie to give you a nutrient and energy boost as you start your day.
Beetroot can help in preventing cancer Beets get their rich color from betalaines. Betalaines are water-soluble antioxidants, betalaines have chemo-preventive abilities against some cancer cell lines. Betalaines are thought to be free radical scavengers that help find and destroy unstable cells in the body.
Potassium is a mineral electrolyte that helps nerves and muscles function properly. If potassium levels get too low, fatigue, weakness, and muscle cramps can occur. Very low potassium may lead to life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms.
Beets are rich in potassium. Drinking beetroot juice in moderation can help keep your potassium levels optimal.
Your body can’t function properly without essential minerals. Some minerals boost your immune system while others support healthy bones and teeth. Besides potassium, beetroot juice provides calcium ,iron ,magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, sodium, zinc, copper, selenium.
Beetroot juice is a good source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps boost your immune system and protect cells from damaging free radicals. It also supports collagen production, wound healing, and iron absorption
If you have high cholesterol, consider adding beetroot juice to your diet