By Adda Bjarnadottir, MS, RDN (Ice) on March 8, 2019.
Bottom Line
Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) is a root vegetable also known as red beet, table beet, garden beet, or just beet.
Packed with essential nutrients, beetroots are a great source of fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C.
Beetroots and beetroot juice have been associated with numerous health benefits, including improved blood flow, lower blood pressure, and increased exercise performance.
Many of these benefits are due to their high content of inorganic nitrates.
Beetroots are delicious raw but more frequently cooked or pickled. Their leaves — known as beet greens — can also be eaten.
There are numerous types of beetroot, many of which are distinguished by their color — yellow, white, pink, or dark purple.
This article tells you everything you need to know about beets.
Nutrition Facts
Beets mainly consist of water (87%), carbs (8%), and fiber (2–3%).
One cup (136 grams) of boiled beetroot contains fewer than 60 calories, while 3/4 cup (100 grams) of raw beets boasts the following nutrients (1Trusted Source):
Calories: 43
Water: 88%
Protein: 1.6 grams
Carbs: 9.6 grams
Sugar: 6.8 grams
Fiber: 2.8 grams
Fat: 0.2 grams
Carbs
Raw or cooked beetroot offers about 8–10% carbs.
Simple sugars — such as glucose and fructose — make up 70% and 80% of the carbs in raw and cooked beetroots, respectively.
Beetroots are also a source of fructans — short-chain carbs classified as FODMAPs. Some people cannot digest FODMAPs, causing unpleasant digestive symptoms.
Beetroots have a glycemic index (GI) score of 61, which is considered medium. The GI is a measure of how fast blood sugar levels rise after a meal (2).
On the other hand, the glycemic load of beetroots is only 5, which is very low.
This means that beetroots should not have a major effect on blood sugar levels because the total carb amount in each serving is low.
Fiber
Beetroots are high in fiber, providing about 2–3 grams in each 3/4-cup (100-gram) raw serving.
Dietary fiber is important as part of a healthy diet and linked to a reduced risk of various diseases (3Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
The carbs in beetroots are mainly simple sugars, such as glucose and fructose. Beets are high in fiber but also have FODMAPs, which can cause digestive problems in some people.
Vitamins and Minerals
Beetroots are a great source of many essential vitamins and minerals.
Folate (vitamin B9). One of the B vitamins, folate is important for normal tissue growth and cell function. It’s particularly necessary for pregnant women (4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source).
Manganese. An essential trace element, manganese is found in high amounts in whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.
Potassium. A diet high in potassium can lead to reduced blood pressure levels and positive effects on heart health (6Trusted Source).
Iron. An essential mineral, iron has many important functions in your body. It’s necessary for the transport of oxygen in red blood cells.
Vitamin C. This well-known vitamin is an antioxidant that is important for immune function and skin health (7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
Beets are good sources of vitamins and minerals, such as folate, manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C.
Other Plant Compounds
Plant compounds are natural plant substances, some of which may aid health.
The main plant compounds in beetroots are:
Betanin. Also called beetroot red, betanin is the most common pigment in beetroots, responsible for their strong red color. It is believed to have various health benefits (9Trusted Source).
Inorganic nitrate. Found in generous amounts in leafy green vegetables, beetroots, and beetroot juice, inorganic nitrate turns into nitric oxide in your body and has many important functions (10Trusted Source, 11, 12).
Vulgaxanthin. A yellow or orange pigment found in beetroots and yellow beets.
Inorganic Nitrates
A yellow or orange pigment found in beetroots and yellow beets.
Inorganic Nitrates
Inorganic nitrates include nitrates, nitrites, and nitric oxide.
Beetroots and beetroot juice are exceptionally high in nitrates.
However, debate has swirled around these substances for a long time.
Some people believe that they’re harmful and cause cancer, while others believe the risk is mostly associated with nitrites in processed meat (13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).
Most dietary nitrate (80–95%) comes from fruits and vegetables. On the other hand, dietary nitrite comes from food additives, baked goods, cereals, and processed or cured meats (10Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source).
Research shows that diets rich in nitrites and nitrates can have positive health effects, including lower blood pressure levels and decreased risk of many diseases (13Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source).
Your body can convert dietary nitrates — such as those from beetroots — into nitric oxide (12).
This substance travels through your artery walls, sending signals to the tiny muscle cells around your arteries and telling them to relax (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source).
When these muscle cells relax, your blood vessels dilate and blood pressure goes down (19Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
Beetroots are high in several beneficial plant compounds, especially betanin (beetroot red), vulgaxanthin, and inorganic nitrates. In particular, inorganic nitrates are associated with reduced blood pressure.
Health Benefits of Beetroots
Beetroots and beetroot juice have many health benefits, especially for heart health and exercise performance.
Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can damage your blood vessels and heart. What’s more, it’s among the strongest risk factors for heart disease, stroke, and premature death worldwide (20Trusted Source).
Eating fruits and vegetables rich in inorganic nitrates may cut your risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure and increasing nitric oxide formation (21Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source).
Studies show that beetroots or their juice can reduce blood pressure by up to 3–10 mm Hg over a period of a few hours (21Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source).
Such effects are likely due to increased levels of nitric oxide, which causes your blood vessels to relax and dilate (26, 27, 28Trusted Source, 29Trusted Source).
Increased Exercise Capacity
Numerous studies suggest that nitrates can enhance physical performance, particularly during high-intensity endurance exercise.
Dietary nitrates have been shown to reduce oxygen use during physical exercise by affecting the efficiency of mitochondria, the cell organs responsible for producing energy (30Trusted Source).
Beets and their juice are often used for this purpose because of their high inorganic nitrate content.
Consumption of beetroots may improve running and cycling performance, increase stamina, boost oxygen use, and lead to better exercise performance overall (31Trusted Source, 32Trusted Source, 33Trusted Source, 34Trusted Source, 35Trusted Source, 36Trusted Source, 37Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
Beetroots can lower blood pressure, which may lead to reduced risk of heart disease and other ailments. This root veggie can also improve oxygen use, stamina, and exercise performance.
Adverse Effects
Beetroots are usually well tolerated — except for individuals prone to kidney stones.
Consumption of beetroot may also cause your urine to become pink or red, which is harmless but often confused for blood.
Oxalates
Beet greens contain high levels of oxalates, which can contribute to kidney stone formation (38, 39Trusted Source).
Oxalates also have antinutrient properties. This means that they may interfere with the absorption of micronutrients.
Levels of oxalates are much higher in the leaves than the root itself, but the root is nevertheless considered high in oxalates (40Trusted Source).
FODMAPs
Beetroots contain FODMAPs in the form of fructans, which are short-chain carbs that feed your gut bacteria.
FODMAPs can cause unpleasant digestive upset in sensitive individuals, such as those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
SUMMARY
Beetroots are usually well tolerated but contain oxalates — which may lead to kidney stones — and FODMAPs, which may cause digestive issues.
The Bottom Line
Beetroots are a good source of nutrients, fiber, and many plant compounds.
Their health benefits include improved heart health and enhanced exercise capacity, both of which are attributed to their inorganic nitrate content.
Beets are sweet and especially delicious when mixed in salads.
Easy to prepare, they can be eaten raw, boiled, or baked.
