Not a waste, but a source of vitamins: what are the benefits of beet tops and how they can be used

Everyone knows about the benefits of such a root vegetable as beet... But few people realize that the tops are also incredibly useful for the body. She is rich useful substances and can easily replace cabbage and salad leaves in the diet. We will find out how the beet tops are useful, which tops should be used and how to use it correctly to cook.

The chemical composition of beet tops

Beet tops contain even more nutrients and elements than the root vegetables themselves. They contain vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, potassium, choline, fiber.

Important!The leaves contain far less sugar than the beets themselves, making them suitable for people with diabetes.

The nutritional value

100 g of beet tops contains 0.13 g of fat, 2.2 g of protein, 4.33 g of carbohydrates, 91.02 g of water and 2.33 g of ash. The calorie content of the product is 22 Kcal.

Benefit and harm

Due to its rich chemical composition, tops have a number of useful properties:

1. Vitamin C supports the health of skin, bones, blood vessels, protecting the body from most infectious diseases and viruses.
2. High content of vitamin K (100 g contains about 300% of the daily value of this element). Consuming beet greens prevents the destruction of neurons in the brain, which is considered to prevent Alzheimer's disease.
3. Vitamin A is good for the health of the eyes, skin, mucous membranes, and also strengthens the immune system. B vitamins have a positive effect on several body systems: metabolism, immune and cardiovascular.
4. Iron is essential for those with anemia.
5. Potassium regulates the amount of fluid in the body, thereby maintaining the water-salt balance.
6. Fiber improves digestion, has a positive effect on bowel function.
7. The antihistamines in beet tops help allergy sufferersreducing the intensity of allergic reactions.

But useful products in some cases also have a harmful effect on the human body. Beet tops are a source of oxalic acid, which reacts with minerals to form stones. This can lead to kidney and bladder stones. But the product will not cause any harm to the body if consumed in moderation.

What is useful

Due to its chemical composition, beet tops have a positive effect on the human body.

For men and women

In particular, for men it is useful due to vitamins C and B vitamins. The first, in addition to general strengthening of immunity, prevents the problem of many men - prostate adenoma.

B vitamins increase the production of the male hormone - testosterone, thereby increasing reproductive ability. Vitamin B1 has a positive effect, which helps to build muscle mass, which is important for males.

Beet leaves are also useful for women. Vitamin A in this case is responsible for beauty. Its use prevents dry skin, wrinkles, cracks in the feet and palms. Vitamins B5 and B9 are also extremely important for the female body. B5 prevents hair loss, and B9 is essential for the normal functioning of the female reproductive system.

For children and seniors

The body of the elderly is in dire need of vitamins A, C, as well as iron.In addition, B vitamins are poorly absorbed by the adult body, so the consumption of foods rich in B vitamins is extremely important.

All these substances are found in large quantities in beet tops. Its inclusion in the diet of an elderly person prevents age-related vision problems, the formation and division of malignant cells, and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, digestion and memory.

The children's organism is worth mentioning separately. Vitamins and trace elements in the beet tops contribute to active growth, normal bone formation, tooth growth, and strengthening of the nervous system.

Application of tops

Beet tops are used not only as food, but also as a medicinal component in folk treatment.

In cooking

The tops are consumed in the same form as the cabbage familiar to everyone. It is enough just to cut it and add it to a salad or serve as a side dish to meat dishes. It goes well with cucumbers, tomatoes, nuts, peppers and pumpkin. More unusual, but delicious combinations - with mint, cilantro.

Also, beet tops are harvested for the winter. It is pickled, salted, fermented, frozen, dried for consumption later in its pure form.

In folk medicine

Beet tops are often used as a remedy. traditional medicine.

It helps with the following diseases:

1. Migraine. The crushed tops in the form of a compress are applied to the sore spot and kept for about 15 minutes.
2. Corns. Juice is obtained from greens by crushing it. The resulting liquid is smeared with damaged areas, wrapped with a bandage overnight.
3. Constipation. Finely chopped leaves are poured with boiling water, infused for an hour, and then drunk before each meal in 50 ml portions.

The use of fresh tops helps with anemia, thyroid disorders, cardiovascular diseases.

Slimming

Beet tops contain the antioxidant betaine. Thanks to him, greens improve metabolic processes, contributing to weight loss. To achieve the desired shape, replace one meal with a salad from this product. To make it tastier, other low-calorie vegetables are added to the salad and seasoned with olive oil.

What tops to use

In order not to be disappointed in the taste of beet tops, you must choose the right leaves for consumption.

Keep the greens fresh, so choose firm leaves. The optimal color is dark green. Pale or yellowish tops are likely to be dry and tasteless. Also pay attention to the spine: it should be short and tight.

How to store tops

Beet tops must be properly stored and handled before consumption.

If you want to enjoy the tops outside of spring and summer, freeze or dry them. But the benefits of such a product are minimal, and the taste is not as rich as that of fresh leaves. Better marinate or salt them according to your favorite recipe (by analogy with cabbage).

How to properly handle and cook

Raw herbs are most useful. It is not worth keeping it clean for a long time. It is best to cut it as quickly as possible and use it in salads.

If you are not a salad fan, prepare cabbage rolls using tops instead of cabbage. Also, this product goes well with various soups, not necessarily cabbage soup or borsch... The tops are added to pea or mushroom soup.

When the leaves are bitter, they are blanched. That is, it is immersed in boiling water for half a minute, and then doused with ice water.

Contraindications to use

Like any product, in some cases, beet tops causes a negative effect if used incorrectly. People with chronic or acute diseases of internal organs should be careful.

Side effects:

1. People with irritable bowel syndrome should not use them. It can cause diarrhea.
2. People suffering from diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract, it is also better to refuse tops, since oxalic acid in its composition promotes the formation of stones. Because greens speed up metabolism, the kidneys get too much work.
3. If you have problems with blood pressure, choose a different herb. Beet greens have antihypertensive properties, meaning they can lower blood pressure.

Conclusion

Beet tops are an undervalued product that literally all gardeners have in their beds. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, has a positive effect on the human body, fits perfectly into the diet and even helps to get rid of some diseases.

Pay attention to this product, but remember to be responsible when eating any food. Become familiar with the contraindications and possible side effects first.