Do you know what Beetroot juice does to cancer?

Research has shown that drinking beet juice, also known as beetroot juice, may reduce the risk of cancer. 

Beets get their rich color from betalains, which are water-soluble antioxidants. 
According to a 2016 study, betalains have chemo-preventive abilities against some cancer cell lines and are thought to be free radical scavengers that help find and destroy unstable cells in the body. 

Beet is a bulbous, sweet root vegetable which has risen to super food status over the last decade.

Other health benefit of beetroot includes:
Helps lower blood pressure: Beet juice may help lower your blood pressure. Researchers found that people who drank 250 milliliters (or about 8.4 ounces) of beet juice daily lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Improves exercise stamina: A 2012 study revealed that drinking beet juice increases plasma nitrate levels and boosts physical performance. During the study, trained cyclists who drank 2 cups of beet juice daily improved their 10-kilometer time trial by approximately 12 seconds. At the same time, they also reduced their maximum oxygen output.

May improve muscle power in people with heart failure: A 2015 study results showed that people with heart failure experienced a 13 percent increase in muscle power 2 hours after drinking beet juice.

May slow the progression of dementia: Dementia is a progressive decline in cognitive function due to damage or disease in the brain. Nitrates in beetroot may help increase blood flow to the brain in older people and help slow cognitive decline. 

After participants of 2011 study consumed a high-nitrate diet that included beet juice, their brain showed increased blood flow in the frontal lobes. The frontal lobes are associated with cognitive thinking and behavior.

Helps you maintain a healthy weight: Beetroot juice is low in Calories and has  no fat. Great option for your morning smoothies.

It gives you the strength, nutrient and energy to boosts your day.
 Good source of potassium: Beets are a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps nerves and muscles function properly.

Drinking beet juice in moderation can help keep your potassium levels optimal. If potassium levels get too low, fatigue, weakness, and muscle cramps can occur. Very low potassium may lead to life threatening abnormal heart rhythms.

Good source of folate: Folate is a B vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects. It may also decrease your risk for having a premature baby, Beet juice is a good source of folate which is good for expectant women

May reduce cholesterol: If you have high cholesterol, consider adding beet juice to your diet.

A 2011 study on rats found that beetroot extract lowered total cholesterol and triglyceride. It also reduced oxidative stress on the liver.

Precautions: Your urine and stools may turn red or pinkish after eating beets. This condition, known as beeturia, is harmless. However, it may be startling if you don’t expect it.

If you have low blood pressure, drinking beet juice regularly may increase the risk of your pressure dropping too low. Monitor your blood pressure carefully. 

If you’re prone to calcium oxalate kidney stones, don’t drink beet juice. Beets are high in oxalates, which are naturally occurring substances that form crystals in your urine.

By Chinaza Ezenwa