Beetroot juice is a popular natural remedy against high blood pressure. However, quite a few, including myself, do not like the taste of beet root. In this article, I will describe how to make beetroot juice tasty. But first let me how exactly beetroot affects blood pressure.
What is beetroot?
Beetroot is one of the most popular and cheap vegetables in Europe and in North America. However, quite a few readers of this blog live in other parts of the world, hence this brief description:
Beetroot, also known as red beet, beet, or garden beet, is a root vegetable that is native to the Mediterranean region. It is part of the Chenopodiaceae family, which also includes vegetables such as chard and spinach. Beetroot is a round or oblong-shaped vegetable that is typically deep red or purple in color, although there are also varieties that are yellow, white, or striped. It has a sweet, earthy flavor and. We often use beetroot in salads, juices, and as a natural food coloring.
This vegetable is a good source of nutrients, including fiber, folate, manganese, potassium, and iron. It is also a source of antioxidants, such as betalains, which are responsible for the vegetable’s deep red color. Beetroot has been studied for its potential health benefits, including its effects on blood pressure and exercise performance.
Beetroot is available year-round, but it is typically in season in the summer and fall months. You can enjoy the beetroot raw, cooked, or pickled. Those who live in Europe and in North America use beetroot in a wide variety of dishes, including salads, soups, and baked goods.
How beetroot effects blood pressure
Beetroot has been shown to have potential benefits for blood pressure in several studies studies. Beetroot is a good source of dietary nitrates, which are converted to nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide is a molecule that helps relax and widen blood vessels, which can help lower blood pressure.
Nitric oxide is a molecule that helps relax and widen blood vessels, which can help lower blood pressure. Studies have found that consuming beetroot or beetroot juice can lead to a small but statistically significant decrease in blood pressure in healthy adults and in patients with hypertension.
Relevant studies
Here are a few studies that have investigated the potential relationship between beetroot and blood pressure:
- “Dietary nitrate supplementation lowers blood pressure in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis”. This systematic review and meta-analysis found that dietary nitrate supplementation, such as from beetroot, was associated with a small but statistically significant decrease in blood pressure in humans.
- “The effect of beetroot juice on lowering blood pressure in patients with hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis” – This systematic review and meta-analysis found that consuming beetroot juice was associated with a significant reduction in blood pressure in patients with hypertension.
- “Acute effect of beetroot juice on blood pressure: a randomized controlled trial” – This randomized controlled trial found that consuming beetroot juice resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure in healthy adults.
These studies indicate that that consuming dietary nitrate supplements, such as beetroot, was associated with a decrease in systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) of 3.7 mmHg and a decrease in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number in a blood pressure reading) of 2.7 mmHg on average. However, it’s important to note that these results may not apply to all individuals and more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between beetroot and blood pressure.
Why many do not like the taste of beetroot?
Beetroot juice made with only beetroot can have a strong and distinctive flavor that some people may find enjoyable, while others may find it less appealing. The flavor of beetroot juice can be described as earthy, slightly sweet, and slightly metallic. The taste of beetroot juice can be quite bold and may be a bit overpowering on its own, so it is often combined with other ingredients to balance out the flavor.
There are a few reasons why some people may not enjoy the taste of beetroot. One reason may be that the flavor of beetroot can be quite strong and distinctive, which some people may find off-putting. The taste of beetroot has been described as earthy, slightly sweet, and slightly metallic, and some people may not enjoy these flavors.
Another reason may be that beetroot has a slightly bitter taste, which some people may not like. This bitterness can be more pronounced in older or larger beetroots, or in beetroots that have been overcooked.
How to make beetroot juice tasty?
To make a tasty beetroot juice, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 medium beetroot, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 medium apple, cored and cut into chunks
- 1 inch piece of ginger, peeled
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or a nut milk bag to remove any pulp.
- Taste the juice and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more lemon juice or ginger if desired.
- Serve the beetroot juice immediately, or store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
You can also add other ingredients to your beetroot juice to vary the flavor, such as a handful of spinach or a few sprigs of mint. Enjoy!
