Beet juice: the benefits and harm, advice on the preparation and use

In pursuit of health and beauty, today people accept exotic compounds, superfoods, various seeds, but one should not forget about the simple and effective healing properties of the usual and accessible products. These include beets, including juice from it. The benefits of the latter will be discussed in this article.

The impact of beet juice on the body is priceless, since the root crop is rich in chemical composition. It is stored completely in the juice, except for coarse fibers.

Natural drink contains many vitamins E, C, A, K, B, PP. The mineral composition is represented by iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, copper, iodine, fluorine, and zinc. The sour taste of fresh fruit is due to the presence of organic acids. There is a small number of dietary fiber, pectin. The increased biological activity of the juice is due to the presence of flavonoids in it.

The calorie content of fresh beetroot is low - 40 kcal per 100 g of product. Carbohydrates, including sugars, are present here in greater amounts (sugars, in turn, are broken down to glucose, fructose, sucrose). Proteins in the composition of the juice "full" and contain amino acids.

Beet juice is the first folk remedy for the treatment of anemia, which is explained by its high iron content. It is well absorbed, partly due to the combination with organic acids and vitamin C.

Fresh from the root not only allows you to increase the level of hemoglobin, but in general it has a rather positive effect on the heart and blood vessels. Thanks to potassium and magnesium in the composition, it is possible to strengthen the heart muscle, increase its conductivity, and normalize the rhythm.

Vitamins E and C act as antioxidants that make the walls of blood vessels more elastic, strong, and vitamin PP increases capillary permeability. Add to this the ability of the juice to destroy the "bad" cholesterol and cholesterol plaques to make sure that This drink helps to fight atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke.

Returning to the antioxidant properties of juice, it is worth noting that it promotes the binding of radionuclides in the body, so you can also talk about its antitumor action. Also, the drink helps to clean the liver and kidneys, removes toxins, eliminates poisoning.

Vitamin E also has the ability to slow down the process of age-related changes in the cells of the body. This is primarily manifested in the preservation of skin tone, which, as is known, is the best prevention of wrinkles.

The richness of the mineral-vitamin composition, in particular, a large amount of ascorbic acid, provides an immunostimulating effect of juice. It will help prevent colds and recover faster, to avoid complications of diseases. Strengthening immunity, beet juice also helps to resist vitamin deficiency, scurvy.

B vitamins in the composition are involved in metabolism and blood formation, and are also necessary for the functioning of the central nervous system. Fresh has a soothing and nerve-strengthening property; it will help with chronic fatigue, stress, depression, and improve sleep. Helping the production of the hormone of joy, serotonin, juice helps to improve the psycho-emotional state of a person. In addition, a sufficient amount of vitamins of this group has a positive effect on the skin condition - dryness, dull complexion disappears, small rashes and inflammations heal.

The combination of vitamin B and zinc is beneficial for the male body, because it stimulates the production of testosterone. This, in turn, provides strength, endurance, efficiency of a man, is responsible for his reproductive function.The hormone deficiency leads to problems in the sexual sphere - impotence, reduced erection and libido, sperm quality.

The juice does not contain vitamin B 12, but the available cobalt contributes to its production. Then produced B 12 together with folic acid (B9) are involved in the process of blood formation, contribute to an increase in the level of red blood cells (oxygen-carrying red blood cells).

Another component of the drink involved in blood formation is vitamin K. It also helps to reduce excessive blood viscosity.

The composition of the drink also contains betalain, which contributes to the expansion of blood vessels, so that the blood carries more oxygen to the tissues. Betalain is also present in tomato juice, but in beetroot its amount exceeds 100-fold. The same component helps in cleansing the biliary tract and liver.

Beetroot drink can be recommended to hypertensive patients and diabetics, since It helps lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels. The glycemic index of fresh juice is 30 units, while during heat treatment of the root crop it grows to 60-85 units.

Beet juice demonstrates antibacterial action and acts as a natural antiseptic. It helps fight the violation of the microflora of the mouth, intestines.

Unlike boiled and fresh beets, the juice does not contain a large amount of coarse fiber (which is important for people with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract), but it still has some dietary fiber. Due to this, as well as the presence of pectins and organic acids, it is possible to speak about the positive effect of beet juice on the digestive organs. It improves the motility of the stomach, accelerates the digestion of food, which also allows you to enhance metabolic and lipid metabolism. Pectins and dietary fibers help to eliminate toxins, mucus and slags from the intestine. Finally, the juice is characterized by a slight laxative effect.

Beet juice is also useful for the skeletal system, since it contains calcium and vitamin C. It is indicated for women with painful or heavy menstruation. A large amount of iron helps prevent the development of anemia, and in addition, the juice has analgesic, spasmodic properties.

Potassium in the composition has a decongestant effect, the juice also shows a diuretic effect. Traditional medicine uses root juice for the treatment of a number of "female" diseases - cysts, fibroids, polyps. It is recommended to drink fresh during menopause, because it acts analog hormone drugs and helps maintain the desired level of female hormones.

The combination of vitamins A and E is necessary for the production of female sex hormones, with a deficiency of which cycle regularity, conception and childbearing are impossible.

Flavonoids in the composition of beet juice (and this is lutein and zeaxanthin) in combination with carotenoids can prevent the formation of eye diseases, primarily retina, and also contribute to the preservation of visual acuity.

The presence of a large amount of vitamins and trace elements, in particular, folic acid, makes fresh root vegetables useful for pregnant women. Folic acid is involved in the formation of the neural tube of the fetus, brain, spinal cord and some other internal organs. Thanks to phosphorus and zinc in the composition of the drink, it helps to strengthen and form a strong bone system, prevents rickets in a child.

While carrying a baby, most women suffer from anemia. This disease in this period is dangerous violation of blood circulation between the mother and the fetus, hypoxia of the fetus, its death or congenital abnormalities, miscarriage and premature birth. Reception of juice will allow to support hemoglobin on the necessary mark.

It is clear that during pregnancy it is extremely undesirable to have colds or other diseases of infectious or bacterial origin. Useful beet juice will strengthen the immune system. It will gently cope with constipation, which often occurs in the first and last trimester, as well as relieve swelling.

Juice is forbidden to use with individual intolerance, which is usually manifested by skin rashes, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness. Like all red fruits, beets are considered to be an allergenic root crop due to the presence of specific compounds that cause pigmentation. If you are allergic to berries, red apples, the use of beet juice should be started with caution, it is likely that it will cause similar reactions.

Harm this drink can cause gastritis, ulcers, liver disease, kidney, urolithiasis and gallstone diseases. Beetroot fresh helps to increase the salt content in the joints, which is not dangerous for a healthy person, but for people with arthritis, gout, this means deterioration. This category of patients should abandon fresh beet. Contraindications also include osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis.

With heartburn, a tendency to diarrhea, taking juice will only aggravate the situation. Despite the low glycemic index and the ability to lower sugar levels, for diabetes, you should first consult a doctor before taking the remedy. Juice is allowed only with type 2 diabetes.

The presence of vitamins K and the pronounced effect of juice on the circulatory system led to a ban on its use in severe blood diseases, primarily hemophilia. It is not necessary to combine the use of drink with reception of anticoagulants.

Pregnancy and lactation can not be called an absolute contraindication to receive juice, but certain restrictions still exist. Women in the position is not recommended to drink without indications for this. Among the latter - iron deficiency anemia, severe swelling, constipation or rapid weight gain. In this case, every other day they drink 50 ml of juice diluted with water.

During breastfeeding, the woman's body experiences increased loads, as a rule, there is a lack of certain microelements. Especially iron and calcium. Full of useful elements of beet fresh juice is able to fill the deficit, but it is recommended to drink it not more than 1 tablespoon per day.

Do not give juice to children younger than a year. And already from this age it is allowed to give a drop of juice dissolved in water. If a baby does not have a negative reaction of the body, then by 1.7-2 years old it is possible to increase a single dosage to 1 teaspoon, give the child juice no more than 2 times a week.

Like any, even the most useful product, beet drink with excessive consumption can cause harm to the body. Overdose symptoms are nausea, vomiting, dizziness. But the appearance of urine of a reddish hue is not considered a pathology, this is normal when using beet juice, because it contains a large amount of pigments.

These positive properties of juice are present only in fresh juice. It should be prepared immediately before use (or rather, 2 hours before reception), since during storage the concentration of beneficial substances is significantly reduced. The easiest way to make this juice through a juicer. It is enough to wash and clean, and then cut the root vegetable into slices and pass it through the unit.

However, in the absence of the latter, you can get juice without a juicer. To do this, the root should be grated on a fine grater, then take the gauze folded in half and, putting the mashed mass into it in small portions, squeeze the juice. Naturally, beets should be clean and without peels. Ready fresh juice, regardless of the method of preparation should be left for 2 hours to infuse.

After infusion from the surface of the drink should remove the top layer (it contains burning esters) and pour into another container. It is not necessary to transfuse to the end, in the process of insisting at the bottom a precipitate is formed, it is not necessary to pour it into a new container.

For juice, you should choose a juicy dense root crop with no traces of rot, dryness, damage, and white veins. It should have a spherical or oval-spherical shape of a rich red, purple, burgundy shade. From one such medium-sized beet leaves a quarter cup of juice. It is allowed to use only beetroot.

Do not cook beet juice for future use, it can be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 2 days. For longer storage, freshly squeezed juice is boiled and poured into sterile cans, sealing with metal lids.

It must be emphasized that you can not drink the juice as soon as it is pressed. In this case, it demonstrates a sharply aggressive action against the human body and provokes nausea, vomiting, impaired stool, dizziness.

Having prepared the juice, it should be removed for a couple of hours in the refrigerator. Pour the drink should be only in glassware, in any case not iron, because when in contact with organic acids and vitamin C in the juice it is possible oxidation. When insisting the drink can not close the lid.

You need to start taking juice from small volumes, gradually increasing the dosage in diluted form to 50-100 ml.

No need to take a drink every day, 2-3 times a week will be enough. It is recommended to drink it on an empty stomach, however, for stomach problems, it is better to use fresh juice between meals.

Beetroot juice due to its wide curative abilities is the basis of many popular recipes for the treatment of a disease. Consider the most popular techniques.

Beet juice will help cure a cold, but it must be diluted with water. Otherwise, do not avoid burns of the mucous. Juice is prepared in any convenient way, two hours infused in the refrigerator, after which 1 part of juice needs to be combined with 3 parts of water.

Instill into the cleaned nasal passages, first one at a time, then 2-4 drops in each nostril. The permissible daily number of instillations is up to 5. The product is not suitable for the treatment of preschool children, because even in a diluted form it is too aggressive for the mucous membranes.

Having a disinfecting, antimicrobial and bactericidal action, beet juice is useful for sore throat, pharyngitis, as well as stomatitis, gingivitis. It will not only destroy the pathogenic microflora, but also relieve pain, swelling, inflammation. When gingivitis will have a hemostatic effect.

Juice rinse the throat and mouth cavity, and you can take it in a slightly more concentrated form than for drinking. For example, the usual glass of ¾ filled with juice, and the rest - with water. Juice pre-insist 2-3 hours.

Rinse recommended 3-4 times a day, preferably within 1-2 hours after the procedure do not eat, do not drink.

Normalize and stabilize the increased pressure helps treatment using beet juice. It lasts 4 weeks and involves taking 50 ml of juice twice a day. Juice should consist of carrots and beets taken in equal parts of the juice, to which a teaspoon of honey is added. Honey should be taken fresh, liquid. Take the composition before meals.

Another variant of the healing composition - a combination of beet and cranberry juice, taken in equal volumes. It is taken in 100 ml diluted with water daily for 3 weeks, after which a weekly rest should be made.

Beet juice, contributing to the acceleration of metabolism, of course, can be used as an independent means for losing weight, but it is better to take it as part of a special beet diet. Its duration is 2 weeks, during which half a glass of diluted beetroot drink is drunk every day.

The basis of the diet - vegetables, lean meat, fish, cooked in the oven or steamed, as well as served boiled. The amount of fermented milk and dairy products is reduced, which cannot be said about beets. In most cases, raw, it is used in salads, vegetable smoothies. You can sometimes eat boiled or baked root vegetables, cook the tops of fresh leaves.

If it is necessary not only to cleanse the body and reduce weight, but also to get rid of diarrhea, then one of the methods of juice should be replaced by the use of this composition - to half a glass of juice diluted with water, add 1-2 tablespoons of oil (olive, flax, vegetable). It is better to drink the drink at night, then in the morning soft and painless bowel movement is guaranteed.

By reducing the level of hemoglobin, the beet juice has repeatedly proved its effectiveness. With anemia, they drink it by mixing 2 parts of carrot and 1 part of beet juice 2 times a day for 2 months. You can prepare a drink from equal-sized juices of beets, cabbage and carrots.

The following version of the therapeutic composition involves the use of 3 tablespoons of fresh juice, which you need to eat 20 g of dark bitter chocolate with the maximum amount of cocoa beans in the composition. Course duration - 2 weeks.

Acceptance of beet juice helps protect this organ, prevents the formation of sand and stones, the development of cirrhosis. To do this, take a drink of 50 ml, diluting the same amount of water. Take the composition in the morning, half an hour before meals.

After 1.5-2 weeks, the volume of juice, as well as the volume of water, increase to 200 ml each. Take the composition within 2 months.

This composition will help get rid of the symptoms of chronic fatigue, beriberi. It will invigorate, strengthen the nervous system and immunity, improve brain activity, remove slags and toxins.

It is prepared on the basis of carrot and beet juice, where they also inject black radish juice. Each is taken in a volume of 50 ml.To the juice is added 2 tablespoons of honey, better than buckwheat. Drink insist 4 hours, after which it is taken daily for a quarter cup twice a day, preferably before meals. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.

Such a drink will help to recover faster from an illness, it is allowed to give to frequently ill children. The composition will strengthen the immune system, increase hemoglobin. Due to its antioxidant and tonic effect, it is also useful in oncology. To prepare it in equal parts (50 ml), take the juice of beet, apple and carrot. Take a cocktail should be half a glass every other day.

It is necessary to squeeze 80 ml of juice from cucumber and beet. Add to them 280 ml of carrot juice. Drink half of the resulting juice at night, and the rest - in the morning on an empty stomach.

Another variant of the purifying and relaxing drink is to mix carrot and beet juice with celery juice (all ingredients of the drink are taken in a 1: 1: 1 ratio). Drink the composition of 60 ml 4 times a day.

If a combination of beet juice is supposed to be combined with others, the first one is to insist, remove the top layer and not use sludge. Only after that combine with other juices. It is unacceptable to insist together root juice with carrot, apple or any other juice.

Outwardly beet juice is used to combat freckles and pigmentation. It is best to freeze fresh and rub the face with the resulting cubes. In addition, the composition has a wound-healing effect, and therefore helps with wounds, cracks, inflammations, acne and boils. But due to the high concentration it is impossible to apply it on the skin in its pure form, otherwise you can get a burn.

Masks with the addition of beet juice help to give the skin a healthy, rested appearance, fill it with radiance, improve tone. At the same time, we must not forget that, in most cases, skin problems are caused by a malfunctioning of the intestine, slagging of the body. For a more pronounced effect, it is better to combine the external use of fresh juice with the daily use of a small amount of the drink.

More on the properties of beet juice, see the following video.