The benefits and harms of boiled beets: what is a good boiled vegetable and how to use it correctly

The most common vegetables and fruits that grow in our climatic zone will help to fill the deficiency of vitamins, nutrients and minerals. Red beetroot refers to such products. The uniqueness of the root vegetable lies in the fact that it is equally useful both raw and boiled.

During heat treatment, all useful substances are completely preserved in it. In the article we will tell you about the benefits and dangers of boiled beets for the health of adults and children, how the product is used in folk healing and cooking.

Boiled beets

Beetroot cultivation began in ancient Babylon 1000 years before our era. Initially, green tops were used for food, later the nutritional properties of root crops were evaluated. This unique product has a rich chemical composition and low calorie content both raw and cooked.

Boiled beets have a softer effect on the body, so it can be used for pathologies of the liver, kidneys, endocrine system and gastrointestinal tract.

Composition, vitamins and minerals

Boiled beets contain:

• vitamins - A, B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D, E, K, PP;
• minerals - iodine, potassium, calcium, silicon, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, chromium, sulfur;
• monosaccharides;
• disaccharides;
• amino acids - arginine, valine, histidine, isoleucine, methionine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, alanine, aspartic and glutamic acid, proline, serine;
• polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-6 and 9.

Reference. The root vegetable contains about 297 mg of betaine. The darker the beets, the higher their concentration.

Benefit and harm

The beneficial properties of boiled beets are due to the rich component composition:

1. Helps improve bowel function due to its high fiber content.
2. Organic acids regulate metabolism.
3. Betaine prevents the development of liver pathologies and lowers blood pressure.
4. Magnesium prevents the risk of atherosclerosis.
5. It has a laxative and diuretic effect.
6. The rich vitamin complex relieves inflammation, increases the body's defenses, promotes a speedy recovery, fights depression and loss of strength.
7. Iron is useful for the hematopoietic system and prevents the development of anemia.
8. Folic acid ensures the normal development of the fetal neural tube.
9. Iodine helps maintain trace element levels and prevents the development of thyroid pathologies.
10. Betaine has an antioxidant effect on cells and prevents the growth of malignant tumors.

As for the harm of boiled root vegetables, doctors talk about the advisability of reducing the use of the product when:

• osteoporosis due to decreased absorption of calcium;
• diabetes mellitus due to the large amount of sucrose;
• stones in the bladder and kidneys due to the content of oxalic acid, which corrodes oxalates, causing severe discomfort when they exit into the ureter;
• chronic diarrhea due to laxative effects.

Some unscrupulous farmers use nitrate on their beds to boost growth. The use of such a product can cause body poisoning. Warm water will help speed up the elimination of toxins. To do this, you must drink three full glasses, induce vomiting and seek immediate medical attention.Of course, this condition develops extremely rarely when eating beets in an amount of more than 1 kg.

Calorie content and BZHU

Nutritional value of boiled beets per 100 g:

• calories - 44 kcal;
• proteins - 1.7 g;
• fats - 0.2 g;
• carbohydrates - 8 g;
• fiber - 2 g;
• ash - 1.12 g;
• water - 87, 06 g.

Healing properties

Correct use will help to establish the work of the digestive, cardiovascular, nervous, genitourinary, endocrine systems.

The main therapeutic actions of the root crop:

• antispasmodic;
• diuretic;
• anti-inflammatory;
• laxative;
• antineoplastic;
• fortifying.

For various diseases

Doctors strongly recommend including boiled beets in the diet when pancreatitis is detected and gastritis... The root vegetable normalizes metabolic processes, has a laxative and diuretic effect. With gastritis, beets cleanse the stomach and restore damaged mucous membranes.

The root vegetable is indispensable for chronic constipation, helps to gently remove feces. The vegetable is also good for the liver. Used in moderation, it helps cleanse and repair tissue.

For the health of internal organs and body systems

The minerals in beets support:

• the immune system in the fight against pathogens of viral diseases;
• the nervous system, increasing stress resistance and relieving stress;
• the digestive system, helping to cleanse the entire orgasm;
• the circulatory system by strengthening the walls of blood vessels.

Slimming

The low calorie content of boiled beets makes them popular with aficionados proper nutrition and those who want to lose a couple of extra pounds.

Nutritionists recommend adding beets to the daily menu. The presence of a large amount of fiber, mild laxative and diuretic properties will help to quickly remove excess water from tissues and cleanse the intestines. The product is characterized by high nutritional value and excellent saturation.

Doctors advise against getting carried away with mono-diets, popular among young girls. Even if they manage to lose 3-5 kg ​​in a week, after returning to their usual diet they will come back and "bring" a couple more with them. Alas, this is how our metabolic system works - under stressful conditions, the body makes reserves.

In addition, drastic weight loss is fraught with negative consequences: hair loss, deterioration of the skin, nails, menstrual irregularities. Most often this happens if you eat the same food for a long time. Despite all the usefulness of beets, the body must receive additional animal proteins and healthy fats.

A more acceptable way to use beets for weight loss is to combine with poultry, fish, vegetables, cereals, durum wheat pasta. You can arrange fasting days - 1-2 times a week to drink a beetroot cocktail on kefir all day.

Benefits for men, women and children

Boiled root vegetable is useful for the body of adults and children. If there are no restrictions for health reasons, the product can be consumed without fear.

Due to the presence of iron, beets prevent anemia during prolonged periods. Zinc will make the skin elastic, relieve acne.

During the period of bearing a child, expectant mothers should not give up beets. Folic acid in its composition contributes to the normal development of the fetal nervous system.

Why boiled beets are useful for children? Pediatricians recommend introducing beets gradually during lactation, observing the reaction of the child's fragile digestive system. Children begin to give boiled beets no earlier than 9 months of age. For babies prone to allergic reactions, the product is introduced gradually, starting with a teaspoon after a year. For children, beets are good for their high content of vitamins and minerals and are suitable for use in autumn and winter to prevent vitamin deficiency.

Beets are good for men too.The root vegetable increases libido and prevents the development of inflammatory processes in the prostate gland.

Reference. Rich red borscht considered an excellent hangover cure.

Usage rates

The consumption rates of boiled beets depend on the state of human health. So, in case of diabetes mellitus, the norm of 100-200 g per day is considered safe. A healthy person can eat up to 250 g per day.

The daily norm for children of three years is 50 g, starting from the age of four - 100 g.

Cooking applications

Boiled beets are added to vegetable, fish, meat salads. A simple but tasty salad with garlic or green onions, seasoned with vegetable oil, sour cream or mayonnaise is very popular.

It is difficult to imagine borsch, beetroot, cold beet without boiled beets. Delicious vegetarian cutlets are made from it. The root vegetable is suitable for conservation and stewing.

Pickled cheeses, walnuts, dried fruits, apples and any greens are combined with beets.

Try making a delicious and simple boiled beet and apple salad.

Ingredients:

• two medium-sized beets;
• one raw carrot;
• one sweet and sour apple;
• two cloves of garlic;
• a handful of walnuts;
• low-fat sour cream for dressing.

Boil the beets and grate on a medium grater. Peel and grate the carrots in the same way. Remove the skin from the apple and remove the core. Cut into strips. Dry the nuts in a pan and chop with a knife. Mix the ingredients, squeeze the garlic through a press and season with sour cream. Let it brew in the refrigerator for 30 minutes and serve.

Application in traditional medicine

Boiled beets have found their way into alternative medicine recipes. Most often used raw root vegetable and green tops. But the boiled product also copes well with rhinitis and otitis media.

To treat a runny nose, juice from a boiled root vegetable is instilled into both nostrils three times a day until the condition improves.

Beet juice is also used to relieve ear pain, which helps to quickly eliminate inflammation. 2-3 drops of boiled beet juice are instilled into each ear canal until the discomfort disappears.

Contraindications

It is recommended to reduce the consumption of boiled beets to a minimum when:

• inflammatory process in the pancreas;
• hypocalcemia (calcium deficiency);
• chronic diarrhea;
• urolithiasis.

Doctors do not talk about a direct ban on the use of beets for diabetes, but they recommend observing the norm - no more than 100 g per day. The root crop causes the least harm to the body in type 1 diabetes.

With a stomach ulcer, beets are forbidden to be consumed during an exacerbation of the condition. When symptoms subside, you can gradually return the product to the menu.

Conclusion

Beets are among the simplest and most popular sources of vitamins and minerals. The root vegetable is sold year-round and is equally useful raw and cooked. A tasty, extremely healthy dietary product is used to prepare a variety of dishes. Beets do not lose their beneficial properties during heat treatment, which is especially important in winter.