Have you heard the word on beets in the health streets? That root vegetable may look boring or underwhelming but it is a TOTAL SUPERFOOD STAR! The way it supports the health of our bodies could literally blow your mind!

So, grab a lemon water to sip on while I give you a quick summary of why I love beets. Then I'll give you my fave beet recipe you can make with just two minutes and a blender! 

HEALTHY NUTRIENTS

Beetroot is packed with incredible compounds like betalains, nitrates, antioxidants, and betaine which are like superhero allies for health (more on this below). To top this off, their nutritional profile makes them worthy of a special spot on your dinner plates. 

There's just 58.5 calories in 1 cup of raw beets. That also comes with 3.8 grams of fiber (about 15% DV), 0.4 milligrams manganese (22% DV), 148 micrograms of folate (37% Daily Value), 1.09 milligrams of iron (6% DV), 442 milligrams of potassium (13% DV), and more. The macro balance is equally exciting with 13 grams of muscle-building carbohydrates, 2.2 grams of protein, and just 0.2g of fat.

BOOST BLOOD HEALTH

It turns out it's not a coincidence that beets have the same red color of blood. It's like they were made for blood! Beets are packed with nitrates which are converted into nitric oxide in our bodies. Nitric oxide is like nature's vasodilator. It relaxes our blood vessels and widens them, increasing the flow and circulation of blood. This supports blood health even more by lowering blood pressure. 

POWER-UP WORKOUTS

SUPPORT DETOXIFICATION

Lab studies have discovered that beets can help our cells pump out more detoxification enzymes. Beetroot and its compounds also have a special relationship with detox organs.

 Studies have seen betaine protect the liver from toxic radiation. They've even seen beetroot drinks protect kidneys from poisonous drugs.

It's amazing enough that beets can support the essential process of detoxification, but they can protect vital organs and support their proper function even when they're being hit with toxins and poisons. How cool is that?!

KEEP UNHEALTHY INFLAMMATION (AND DISEASE) AT BAY

Magical beet compounds like betalains have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Scientists have seen that betalains can protect the body from damage like inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic disease. They've also proven to be mighty health warriors against cancer cells as betalains can reduce the proliferation of cancer cells & even trigger apoptosis. 

That's the quick and brief summary on beets. Check out my blog post on the amazing health benefits of beets for even more in-depth info!

Now, lets talk smoothies!

SMOOTHIES CAN MAXIMIZE YOUR HEALTH

You may be thinking that beets are the last thing you'd think of blending. Strange as it may seem, smoothies can come with huge health benefits when we make them with nutrient-dense foods. And they can be delicious too! EVEN WITH BEETS! 

These are the reasons why I love superfood smoothies!

• SMOOTHIES HELP MEET DAILY NUTRITIONAL NEEDS

  Smoothies make it easy to pack in healthy servings of fruits, vegetables, and nuts & seeds. When we combine this with health supplements and superfood powders like circumin, beet power, spirulina, or lion's mane we can turn smoothies into healthy, healing elixirs!

• SMOOTHIES SUPERCHARGE HEALTH & HEALING

  There are superfoods and super-healthy veggies we know we should be eating, but the time needed to prepare them and eat them is very unappetizing. Then there is the matter of them being literally unpalatable to our tastebuds. That's where smoothies are superheros! A smoothie can turn unappealing foods into tasty drinks bursting with healthy compounds that take our health to the next level.

• SMOOTHIES SUPPORT DIGESTIVE HEALTH

  A good blender can completely emulsify smoothie ingredients, doing the work of our teeth and stomach acid in breaking down foods. Smoothies provide our body with nutrients that are ready to be absorbed and put to work. It's possible we can take in more nutrition because of how well foods have been broken down. Smoothies can also support digestive health by giving our system a break with foods that are already broken down. Making high-fiber smoothies with prebiotic foods or probiotic bacteria can support digestive health even more by feeding healthy bacteria that keep our microbiome balanced. 

• SMOOTHIES SUPPORT HEALTHY WEIGHT

  Eating foods that are loaded with fiber and nutrients can help us feel fuller for longer. Meeting our body's nutritional needs could also reduce cravings that tempt us to eat unhealthy foods. Smoothies also make it really easy to track our macros and calories.

• SMOOTHIES MAKE A HEALTHY DIET EASY

  Smoothies can also help us achieve nutrition as well as a healthy BMI (Body Mass Index) because we can eat healthy on the go. Smoothies are as easy to drink at home as they are in the car or at work. They're even easier when you make smoothies a part of your meal prep plan.

I could go on and on about all the amazing health perks of beets and smoothies but it's making me hungry for my beet-tastic smoothie! You can learn more about the science-backed benefits of beets in my blog post. Now it's time to whip out the blender for my beet smoothie recipe! 

MY BEET-TASTIC SMOOTHIE RECIPE

Take charge of your health and live your best life! You can start with one day --and one smoothie-- at a time!