🌱 Botanical Information -

  • Scientific name: Beta vulgaris (subspecies: Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris)
  • Family: Amaranthaceae (spinach, quinoa, amaranth family)
  • Type: Root vegetable, biennial plant (cultivated as annual)
  • Origin: Mediterranean region, cultivated for ~4,000 years
  • Plant structure:
  • Edible taproot (bulbous, red-purple, sometimes golden or white)
  • Leaves (beet greens) also edible and nutritious
  • Small green flowers form if grown into the second year

Beetroot is used in savory and sweet dishes across cultures.

  • Forms: Raw (salads, juices), boiled, roasted, pickled, powdered, candied, fermented (kvass).
  • Cuisines:
  • Indian: Beetroot poriyal, beetroot halwa, paratha, salads, juice
  • European: Borscht (beet soup, Ukraine/Russia), pickled beets
  • Western: Roasted beet salad, beet chips, smoothies, cakes
  • Other uses: Natural food coloring (red/pink), beet sugar production
  1. Heart Health
  • High in nitrates → converted to nitric oxide in the body → relaxes blood vessels → lowers blood pressure
  • Improves blood circulation

  1. Sports Performance
  • Beet juice boosts stamina and endurance (popular among athletes)

  1. Digestive Health
  • Rich in fiber → aids digestion, prevents constipation

  1. Liver Health
  • Contains betaine → supports liver detoxification

  1. Blood Health
  • Rich in folate and iron → supports red blood cell production
  • Traditionally used to help with anemia (though iron is moderate)

  1. Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory
  • Contains betalains (pigments with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects)

  1. Brain Function
  • Nitrates improve blood flow to the brain, possibly reducing risk of dementia
  • Calories: ~43 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 9.6 g
  • Protein: 1.6 g
  • Fat: 0.2 g
  • Fiber: 2.8 g
  • Rich in Folate, Manganese, Potassium, Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium

Contains betalains, nitrates, antioxidants