The beets belong to the same family as chard and spinach.  Beet leaves have a bitter taste like chard, but is rich in chlorophyll.  Although bitter, the greens have a higher nutritional value than its roots and have a higher content of iron as compared to spinach.

Both beet root and beet greens are very powerful cleansers and builders of the blood.  Betacyanin is the phytochemical in beet that gives it its rich 'amethyst' color that significantly reduces homocysteine levels.

One cup of raw beets is high in carbohydrates and low in fat. It contains phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, iron, calcium, and potassium, as well as fiber, vitamins A and C, niacin, and biotin.  Beets contain folic acid, which is recommended for pregnant women because it may lower the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects in newborn infants.

Beets (and beet juices) are a blood-building herb that detoxifies blood and renews it with minerals and natural sugars.  Beet juice contains betaine, which stimulates the function of liver cells and protects the liver and bile ducts.  Recent studies point to betaine as contributing to the prevention of coronary and cerebral artery diseases. Beet juice and its powdered form slowed the development of tumors.

Carrot juice is often used as a "base" juice in juice combinations, as its natural sweetness often masks unpleasant tastes. Many people mix carrot juice with beet juice for liver health.

Health Benefits of Beets:

Beets have long been known for its amazing health benefits for almost every part of the body.  And yet, it is something that very few people take, much less its juice.

Acidosis: Its alkalinity is essential and effective in combating acidosis the harbinger of poor health.

Anemia: The high content of iron in beets regenerates and reactivates the red blood cells and supplies fresh oxygen to the body. The copper content in beets helps make the iron more available to the body. Beet juice is a great blood builder.

Atherosclerosis: Beet juice is a powerful solvent for inorganic calcium deposits that cause the arteries to harden.

Blood pressure: Effectively normalize blood pressure, lowering high blood pressure or elevating low blood pressure.

Cancer:  Betaine, an amino acid in beet root, has significant anti-cancer properties. Studies show that beets juice inhibits formation of cancer-causing compounds and is protective against colon or stomach cancer.

Constipation: The cellulose content helps to ease bowel movements. Drinking beets juice regularly will help relieve chronic constipation.

Dandruff: Mix a little vinegar to a small cup of beets juice. Massage it into the scalp with your fingertips and leave on for about an hour, then rinse. Do this daily till dandruff clears up. Warning: you will smell awful during this hour!  But, it’ll be worth it.

Detoxification: The choline from beet juice detoxifies not only the liver, but also the entire system of excessive alcohol abuse, provided consumption stops.

Gastric ulcer: Mix honey with your beets juice and drink two or three times a week on an empty stomach (more frequently if your body is familiar with beets juice). It helps speed up the healing process.

Gall bladder and kidney ailments: Coupled with carrot juice, the superb cleansing virtues are exceptional for curing ailments relating to these two organs.

Gout: Can be greatly helped by the cleansing that beets have to offer.

Liver or bile: The cleansing virtues in beets juice is very healing for liver toxicity or bile ailments, like jaundice, hepatitis, food poisoning, diarrhea or vomiting. A squeeze of lime with beets juice heightens the efficacy in treating these ailments.

Varicose veins: In similar ways that it helps to keep the elasticity of arteries, regular consumption of beet juice also helps prevent varicose veins.

For the Kitchen:

Choose beet roots that are firm and unwrinkled.  With the greens attached, beets can keep for only 3 to 4 days in the fridge as the root has to supply moisture to the leaves.  Without the greens attached, beet root can keep for a couple of weeks.

Beets with round bottoms are sweeter than flat-bottomed ones.  Eat beets fresh to enjoy its flavor better.  Do not overheat beets when cooking as heat destroys all the essential nutrients.  Remove the skin before cooking.

Cautionary:

Individuals with a history of oxalate-containing kidney stones should limit their consumption of beets.

As beetroot juice is very potent, do not consume too much, especially if your body is not yet accustomed to it.  For a beginner, start with the juice of half a medium-sized beetroot once a week, slowly increasing to one whole beetroot a week.

This delicious juice is so potent that it may cause some dizziness during cleansing as toxins are being eliminated.  This process may cause some discomfort but there is nothing to be alarmed about.  During this time, drink plenty of pure water to also help flush out internal toxins.

Recipe:

There are tons of recipes for beets, but people who swear they hate beets will love this salad. It’s a mixture of grated, uncooked beets dressed with orange and lemon juices and a small amount of olive oil.  

1/2 pound beets

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoon minced chives, mint or parsley (or a combination)

Salt to taste

Leaves of 1 romaine heart

1. Peel the beets with a vegetable peeler, and grate in a food processor fitted with the shredding blade.

2. Combine the orange juice, lemon juice and olive oil. Toss with the beets and herbs. Season to taste with salt. Line a salad bowl or platter with romaine lettuce leaves, top with the grated beets and serve.

Yield: Serves four.

Advance preparation: The grated beets can be dressed and kept in the refrigerator, covered well, for a couple of days. They become tenderer but don’t lose their texture, and the mixture becomes even sweeter as the beet juices mingle with the citrus. Toss again before serving.

Nutritional information per serving: 58 calories; 1 gram protein; 3 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 milligrams cholesterol; 6 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 32 milligrams sodium (does not include salt added during cooking).