Beets have long and firmly entered the list of the most common garden plants, as well as in the diet. But not everyone knows that not only the root vegetable of the plant is a valuable product, but also the tops.
Compared to the sweet root vegetable, the beet tops seem not very tasty, although in terms of the amount of nutrients they are not inferior, and in some ways even surpass them. The leaves and trunks of beet tops, large, juicy, with elastic pulp, can be used as actively as root crops. Meanwhile, the tops - unknowingly - are often sent to feed livestock or simply thrown away.
From the history of the issue
Beetroot, as a garden culture, appeared in Russia in time immemorial. According to historical information, the plant was brought from India and the Far East, although references to this vegetable are found in the heyday of Babylon. Beetroot was also popular in Greece, it was even brought as a gift to Apollo. In Kievan Rus, this garden culture appeared in the 10-11th century, immediately taking a place among the favorite foods. It is interesting that in ancient times gourmets preferred not sweet root vegetables, but tops. Nowadays, sugar beets have spread everywhere, it is difficult to imagine a food menu without this most useful product. And the consumption of not only the "sugar heads" of beets, but also the foliage rich in vitamins and microelements makes this product practically waste-free.
A little about the chemical composition of beet tops
One of the advantages of fresh beet tops is its low calorie content (per 100 grams of product - 28 kcal), which makes the product indispensable in the dietary food range.
In terms of the amount of vitamins, minerals, trace elements - beet leaves, which are an excellent source of fiber, will give odds to many vegetables. The above-ground part of the vegetable contains aluminum, potassium, molybdenum, magnesium, boron, cobalt, calcium, sodium. In addition, beet leaves contain an impressive amount of manganese, zinc, copper and iron, as well as phosphorus, sulfur and iodine.
Burgundy leaves are saturated with special substances - anthocyanins, which perform the function of natural antioxidants, removing toxins and toxic decomposition products from the body. The set of vitamins looks no less solid: ascorbic acid, carotene, as well as B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B9), PP and U.
In addition, the product contains folic acid, disaccharides, monosaccharides, various organic acids, a small amount of proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, fats and water.
Useful properties of tops
The richest chemical composition provides the beet tops with an honorable place among the most useful products that have not only nutritious, but also therapeutic and health-improving effect.
To whom and why can you recommend this product?
- For diabetes to control blood sugar
- With anemia, to activate blood formation and general strengthening purposes
- With cardiovascular ailments
- For endocrine system disorders, thyroid problems to improve metabolism
- In case of intestinal disorders, a tendency to constipation and to suppress pathogenic flora in the digestive system
- With atherosclerosis and internal hemorrhages in order to strengthen and increase the elasticity of blood vessels
- For chronic gastritis, stomach and duodenal ulcers
- To detoxify and cleanse the liver
- For the prevention of osteoporosis in the elderly
- For the prevention of various tumors
- For obesity and for the elimination of "bad" cholesterol
- To improve brain function, enhance memory and the ability to concentrate
- There is a beneficial effect on the condition of the eyes, skin, nails and hair
In addition, beet leaves and stems are also used in folk medicine.
For example -
- For headaches: for a long time, headaches were relieved with the help of this plant in 15 minutes, by applying pounded or steamed beet leaves to the forehead.
- In case of eye inflammation: the eyes were washed with a decoction of tops to remove inflammation and conjunctivitis
- For constipation: a tablespoon of chopped beet leaves is poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted until it cools down, and drunk several times a day.
- For wounds and suppurations on the skin: use a decoction, gruel from crushed leaves and warm beet juice. Wounds or suppurations are lubricated and bandaged if necessary.
Contraindications and side effects
Beet tops have practically no contraindications, if you do not abuse this product. However, there are a number of exceptions that require caution:
- If you are prone to indigestion, the product may cause diarrhea.
- In case of liver diseases, when the load on this organ is contraindicated, since the activation of metabolic processes will inevitably entail such an excessive load.
- In inflammatory processes of the genitourinary tract, this phytoproduct is also not worth using, it can provoke an exacerbation of a painful condition.
- The green leaves are also harmful for gout.
- Caution should also be exercised in people suffering from hypotension (with low blood pressure)
- The tops should be categorically excluded from the diet in case of individual intolerance - allergies.
