Perhaps, beets can be considered one of the symbols of Russian cuisine. We have many recipes for this root vegetable in boiled and stewed form, but can it be eaten raw?
First of all, it should be noted that beets contain a large amount of vitamins, minerals and folic acid, therefore they are very beneficial for health. Continuous use of it stimulates liver cells, improves digestion and metabolism, and lowers blood pressure, which reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and vascular disorders. But is this equally true for raw and thermally processed beets?
Like most other vegetables, when exposed to heat, beets lose some of their nutrients, so raw they are even healthier than processed ones. So it is not only possible to eat it raw, but also necessary.
Benefits of eating raw beets
Due to the content of a large amount of nutrients, the use of this root vegetable in its raw form allows:
- replenish the vitamin reserve (beets supply the body with retinol, tocopherol, B vitamins, ascorbic acid, niacin);
- strengthen immunity;
- remove free radicals from the body;
- cleanse the intestines of toxins;
- normalize the functioning of the digestive tract;
- cope with constipation, including chronic;
- improve the production of gastric juice;
- normalize the thyroid gland;
- cope with anemia;
- normalize hemoglobin levels;
- improve the condition of the vascular walls;
- reduce the likelihood of blood clots;
- normalize the functioning of the endocrine system;
- normalize the work of the heart;
- prevent the appearance of both benign and malignant tumors;
- restore potency;
- reduce pain in women during menstruation;
- eliminate the manifestation of allergic reactions;
- normalize blood pressure.
Contraindications to eating raw beets
Raw beets have a laxative effect, so you need to eat them carefully, especially for people who have diseases of the digestive system. If you are concerned about the problem of diarrhea, it is better to consult a doctor before eating raw beets.
It is also advisable to exclude raw beets from the diet in the following cases:
- with diseases of the digestive tract in the acute stage;
- with pathologies in the work of the cardiovascular system;
- with impaired renal function;
- with urolithiasis.
Raw beets during pregnancy
During pregnancy, raw beets are beneficial because they help strengthen the mother's immune system and have a beneficial effect on the baby. But do not overuse the root crop, because it can cause intestinal upset. It should also be borne in mind that pregnant women should not eat beets in combination with garlic, as this increases the uterine tone.
Thus, raw beets are certainly healthy, but, like any product, you need to eat them in moderation.
