How is beet juice useful for the human body?

The healing properties of beets have been known for a long time. Initially, only the root was used as a medicine. For many years, scientists have carefully studied the chemical composition of the vegetable and came to the conclusion that freshly squeezed beet juice also has a beneficial effect on the body. The rich content of proteins, natural antioxidants, organic acids, vitamins and mineral salts makes it possible to use it for the prevention and treatment of many diseases: anemia, infections, rickets, diabetes mellitus, oncology, cardiovascular pathologies, etc.

Consider the beneficial properties of beet juice and contraindications, for which diseases it will help and when it can harm the body, as well as medical recipes based on beetroot drink.

Composition and healing properties

About a dozen species belong to the genus of beets. The most famous representatives are common beets and sugar, it is about their benefits and harms to the body that will be discussed in our article.

Such an affordable vegetable has a unique and rich chemical composition. Beetroot vegetables are saturated with carbohydrates and proteins and practically do not contain fats (mass fraction per 100 g of product is 0.2 g).

Other components of the composition also have a beneficial effect on the body:

• organic acids;
• vitamins of group A, B, C;
• folic acid;
• betaine;
• mineral salts: potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, iodine, zinc and others;
• cellulose.

Beets are actively used to treat a wide range of diseases:

• antioxidants have a positive effect on the state of blood vessels and heart, neutralize free radicals - protect against chronic heart and liver diseases;
• the rich content of iron, cobalt, B vitamins in the root vegetable allows the use of beet juice for the treatment and prevention of anemia;
• zinc and phosphorus are necessary for children with rickets: they increase bone mineralization, normalize bone formation processes;
• natural antiseptics destroy pathogenic microflora, thereby preventing the spread and reproduction of infection, cleanse the oral cavity, improve the condition of the skin, prevent the development of gastric and intestinal infections;
• due to the presence of organic acids and fiber in the composition, intestinal motility is stimulated, helping with spastic constipation;
• anthocyanins and betacyans inhibit the growth of cancer cells;
• has a diuretic effect: increases the excretion of excess fluid and salts, thereby reducing the fluid content in tissues and serous cavities;
• soothes the nervous system, is useful for psycho-emotional overwork, constant stress, relieves depression;
• increases the resistance of the immune system to external and internal adverse factors;
• inhibits the inflammatory process;
• accelerates the regeneration of soft tissues, has wound healing properties;
• relieves joint pain.

The healing properties of beetroot juice for the human body do not end there. It activates metabolic processes, quickly and for a long time saturates the body, relieving hunger, and normalizes weight.

The optimal balance of folic acid, zinc, potassium, magnesium and other minerals has a positive effect on the functions of the organs of the genitourinary, excretory and cardiovascular systems.

Traditional medicine advises women and men to take freshly squeezed beet juice with a violation of the orientation and severity of sexual desire.

reference... Since the root vegetable is enriched with folic acid, it is recommended to be consumed by women who are planning a pregnancy, or in the first months of gestation.

With oncology

Malignant neoplastic formations are difficult to treat with drugs even at an early stage and, as a rule, require treatment with radiation and chemotherapy.

Cancer treatment with alternative methods, including beet juice, can only worsen the course of the disease, cause its progression with subsequent death. If you suspect oncology, you need to seek help from a specialist who will make an accurate diagnosis and determine the further tactics of therapy. The outcome of the disease depends on timely diagnosis and correct treatment.

But for the prevention of cancer, beet juice is quite suitable. Natural antioxidants in the composition of the root crop neutralize the oxidative effect of free radicals and other chemicals, protecting the cells of the body from internal and external toxic damage. In addition, anthocyanins and betacyanins inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Vitamins, organic acids and mineral salts that are important for the body in the composition of the root crop strengthen the immune system, increasing its resistance to exogenous and endogenous stimuli.

For colds

Beet juice is widely used as an adjuvant in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Natural antiseptics contained in the root vegetable suppress and even treat some infectious pathologies. They destroy pathogens, preventing their spread to the lower respiratory tract, and protect against chronic processes and complications.

Beets are good for coughs... It has a softening and enveloping effect on irritated mucous membranes, reduces swelling of the larynx, eliminates pain and sore throat, and reduces the frequency and intensity of coughing attacks. In case of damage to the paranasal sinuses, beetroot juice diluted with water in equal proportions is instilled into the nose. It relieves inflammation, swelling, and makes breathing easier.

Freshly squeezed beet juice is used to prevent colds, since its regular use, especially in the autumn-winter period, helps to form the mechanism of antimicrobial immunity, to increase its resistance to the action of pathogenic microflora.

With diseases of the thyroid gland

Due to the high iodine content, beet juice has found wide application in the treatment of hypothyroidism. The disease develops in conditions of deficiency of triiodothyronine and thyroxine and entails a violation of metabolic processes. Regular consumption of beetroot juice saturates the body with the necessary amount of iodine and other useful micro- and macroelements, starts metabolic processes.

Important! The use of beet juice is contraindicated in case of excessive thyroid activity and increased production of thyroid hormones.

Benefits and harm to the liver

Traditional medicine recommends using beet juice to support liver function. Root crops contain large amounts of betanin, which improves the absorption of protein, participates in its synthesis, starts the work of liver cells and prevents their fatty degeneration. In addition, beets rid the body of toxins and toxins, reduces the risk of stones in the gallbladder and bile ducts.

There is also a downside to the coin. Drinking beetroot juice can worsen the course of kidney stones. Oxalic acid in the composition of the root crop promotes the formation of urate components, and the diuretic effect provokes the movement of stones, which can cause impaired duct patency, renal colic.Therefore, the decision on the need to treat liver diseases with red beet juice must be made together with the attending physician, when its benefits and harms in a particular case are determined.

In addition, beets have a beneficial effect on a number of functions of the digestive tract: it improves the peristalsis of the stomach and intestines, normalizes the condition of the mucous membranes, prevents the development of gastric and intestinal pathogenic microflora, cleanses the body of toxic substances, heavy metal salts, radioactive components.

Important! Freshly squeezed beet juice is contraindicated in hyperacid gastritisas it increases acidity and can provoke increased pain and inflammation.

For blood vessels and heart disease

Eating beets has a positive effect on the condition and function of the cardiovascular system and blood vessels. Beetroot juice is taken in the treatment of high blood pressure, anemia, atherosclerosis, vitamin deficiency.

Drinking a vegetable drink affects a number of important bodily functions:

• provides better blood saturation with oxygen, hemoglobin, erythrocytes;
• improves blood circulation through the blood vessels;
• shows a sedative (calming) effect;
• stimulates the activity of the heart muscle, increases the number and strength of heart contractions;
• reduces the tension of the vascular walls;
• normalizes microcirculation;
• reduces the risk of blood clots;
• removes excess fluid from the body;
• reduces platelet aggregation and blood sugar levels;
• reduces the level of lipid deposition, increased concentration of uric acid.

Important! Due to the fact that the vegetable has a pronounced hypotensive effect, it is contraindicated for people with low blood pressure.

Healing recipes based on beetroot juice

Taking into account the peculiarities of the development and course of the disease, beet juice is prepared and used in different ways. So, with pathologies of the thyroid gland, heart, blood vessels, organs of the gastrointestinal tract, syrup or juice from beets is prepared for ingestion. For colds, it is used for rinsing, for adenoiditis and sinusitis, it is instilled into the nose.

There are several ways to make beet juice. First of all, it is important to choose the right root vegetable. It should be of medium size, crimson in color, without white veins inside, and not spoiled. Rinse the vegetable well under running water, remove the root and tops, and make a drink using a juicer.

If the house does not have a juicing device, follow one of the following schemes:

1. Remove the peel from the vegetable, cut into small pieces, pass through a meat grinder or blender, as an option - grate on a coarse grater. Put the gruel into cheesecloth or a bandage folded in several layers, squeeze out the juice.
2. Do not remove the peel from the vegetable, cut it out in the middle with a knife and pour sugar or honey inside. Place in a microwave oven for 5-10 minutes or an oven for 15-20 minutes at a temperature of 200 degrees until juices form.

Now that the juice is ready, let's look at recipes for how to cook and take beets for specific diseases:

1. Colds, ARVI, ARI. Add 1 tbsp to freshly prepared beet juice. l. vinegar, gargle with a solution every 3-4 hours. For instillation into the nasal passages, freshly squeezed beet juice must first be diluted in half with water. Instill 1-2 drops in the cleaned nasal sinuses in the morning and in the evening until complete recovery, but no longer than 7-10 days. With angina beet juice with honey helps well at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. honey in a glass of juice. Take orally in small portions throughout the day.
2. Anemia... In equal proportions combine the juice of beets, black radish and carrots, pour into a container of dark glass. Cover the neck of the dishes with dough, leaving a small hole through which moisture will evaporate. Adults are recommended to take orally 1 tbsp. l.three times a day before meals for 2.5-3 months, unless otherwise specified by a doctor.
3. Avitaminosis... Freshly prepared beet juice should be consumed 30-50 ml per day 30 minutes before the main meal. The maximum allowable daily intake should not exceed 200 ml.
4. During the rehabilitation period after a heart attack... Prepare the beet juice in advance in the evening, leave it overnight to stand. Then combine with honey in equal proportions and mix well until it is completely dissolved. Take orally 2 tbsp. l. every 4 hours, but not more often 3-4 times a day.
5. Hypertension... Make horseradish juice first. Grate the peeled root on a coarse grater, squeeze out the juice with gauze, dilute with water in a ratio of 1: 1, so that 250 ml of juice is obtained at the output. Leave for two days to infuse. Next, in equal proportions, mix the juice of horseradish, beets and carrots, add the juice of one lemon and 250 ml of honey. Mix everything well. Drink 1 tbsp. l. 2-3 times a day one hour before meals or 1.5-2 hours after meals. The course of treatment is 60 days.
6. Liver disease... During the day, consume 2-3 times a vegetable mix made from equal parts of beet, cucumber and carrot juice. The one-time rate is 50-100 ml, the daily rate is 200-300 ml.
7. Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum. In a clean glass container, combine 100 ml of juice of beets, radish, carrots, alcohol and 100 g of honey, mix until smooth. Leave for three days in a cool dark place to infuse. Take orally 2 tbsp. l. at intervals of three times a day. Shake well before use. The course of treatment is 5-7 days.

Effects of beet juice with other drinks

Beet juice is consumed in its pure form, but it brings more benefits in combination with other vegetable drinks. They not only improve its taste, but also enhance its medicinal properties, complement it with new beneficial effects for the body.

Beet juice goes well with cucumber, cabbage, carrot, apple, pumpkin, orange juices, as well as celery and ginger.

reference... To soften the pronounced properties of beet juice and a variety of taste, honey, cranberries, and black currants are added to it.

Reviews

There is no doubt that beet juice, when used correctly, has a positive effect on a number of body functions. However, opinions on the medicinal properties of the root crop and its role in the treatment of certain diseases are versatile.... It is difficult to give an accurate assessment of its effectiveness, because the result depends on the characteristics of the patient's body and the etiology of the disease.

In addition, the composition of the root vegetable does not contain substances of synthetic origin, unlike medicines, therefore the effect of the use of beet juice is cumulative: it requires long-term and regular use.

What patients say:

Olga: “Recently I had a cold, there was a severe paroxysmal cough. On the Internet, I found information that beets help get rid of cough. I decided to try, it won't get any worse. Already on the second day, coughing attacks became less frequent, sore throat and perspiration decreased, it became easier to swallow. I liked the result and continued the treatment. On the seventh day, the cough was completely gone. Beet juice helped me a lot. I recommend taking notes as a natural remedy. "

Matvey: “I cannot appreciate the benefits of beets in relation to other diseases, but with hypothyroidism, it is completely useless. I admit it as a prophylactic agent, but I do not recommend it for treatment. After a course of drug therapy, I decided to improve the condition of the thyroid gland and for a month I drank a glass of freshly squeezed juice of beets and carrots a day. When I retaken the tests, the indicators remained at the same level. Plus - I didn't notice any side reactions, my sleep and mood improved. "

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of beet juice for the body must be assessed in the case of a particular patient, taking into account his age, sex, history, causes and characteristics of the course of the underlying disease. Beetroot juice is not a panacea for all diseases. It helps to slow down pathological changes, has a positive effect on blood vessels and the heart, improves the condition of people suffering from thyroid diseases and chronic constipation, normalizes the functions of the excretory organs and the genitourinary system, and metabolic processes.

However, in some cases, a drink from beets turns out to be a useless drug, as with oncology, and if you do not take into account the presence of contraindications, it can harm the body. Therefore, the question of the appropriateness of its use for the treatment of a particular disease should be discussed with a doctor.