Beets: composition, useful properties and contraindications.

Since the 11th century, beets have been grown in Russia. Its various kinds are used as feed, for sugar production, for cooking recipes, in cosmetology, as a raw material for therapeutic and prophylactic agents. In Belarus and Ukraine, beets are called "buryak" because they can take on a brown color during cooking. In Russia, however, the distorted Greek name "sfekeli" - beet - has taken root.

What is the difference between sugar beet and fodder beet

The progenitor of all types of beets is its wild variety, originating from areas in the Far East and India. The most popular varieties are leaf beet, table beet (used in cooking), fodder beet and sugar beet.

Sugar beets are a technical crop that is grown for further processing. It produces ethanol, a raw material for alcohol, as well as sugar. Its main difference from other species is a high sucrose content in the fruit (up to 20%), a bitter yellowish rind and bright white fruits under it. Fruits are often oblong in shape.

Fodder beets are high in protein, dietary fiber and fiber. The most important property of this species is an increase in milk yields. Cattle eat it with pleasure. While sugar beets are often small, up to a maximum of 3 kg, fodder beets can grow up to 30 kg. The rind and fruit of fodder beets are brighter than those of sugar beets. The fruits can be of various shapes, round or oval. They often grow above the surface of the soil.

Composition and calories

A 100 g of ordinary table beets contains 43 kcal, 8.8 g carbohydrates, 1.3 g proteins and 0.1 g fats.

Vitamins:

1. A (retinol) - essential for healthy bones, hair, skin, organs of vision. Supports the immune system.
2. B1 (thiamine) - supports brain function, stimulates memory, concentration, has a positive effect on learning, mood and appetite.
3. B2 (riboflavin) - stimulates red blood cell formation, promotes healthy nails, hair, skin, has a positive effect on the endocrine system.
4. B5 (pantothenic acid) - stimulates the production of adrenal hormones, helping in the treatment of arthritis, colitis, allergies and cardiovascular diseases, strengthens the immune system.
5. B6 (pyridoxine) - supports digestion of fats and proteins, slows the aging process, reduces cramps, is a natural diuretic.
6. B9 (folic acid) - is necessary for the creation of new cells in the body, so it is especially important to get it in sufficient quantities for women in the first trimester of pregnancy. In addition, B9 supports the immune system, has a positive effect on heart health, hematopoietic activity.
7. C (ascorbic acid) - protects the body from bacteria and viruses, stimulates immunity, helps in wound healing, has a positive effect on blood vessels and the heart.
8. PP or B3 (niacin) dilates blood vessels and improves blood supply to all organs, reduces the level of "harmful" cholesterol.
9. U - has an antihistamine effect, helps to combat the manifestation of allergies.

Minerals:

1. Potassium - regulates water content in body cells, supports normal heartbeat, promotes brain function.
2. Calcium - is essential for healthy bones and teeth, has anti-inflammatory effects, regulates the production of hormones and enzymes.
3. Magnesium - supports the nervous system, muscle function, its deficiency can lead to kidney and stomach diseases, dizziness, insomnia, heart problems.
4. Zinc - is part of the formation of bone tissue, has a positive effect on hair health, stimulates mental activity, its sufficient content is the prevention of diabetes, epilepsy, arthritis and rheumatism.
5. Copper - is necessary for the health of the gastrointestinal system, to maintain healthy hair and skin.
6. Manganese - regulates the production and absorption of glucose, lowers blood sugar levels, regulates fat metabolism in the body, supports the health of the nervous system and brain function.
7. Iron - important for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, is necessary for the production of hemoglobin, stimulates the absorption of B vitamins.
8. Iodine - promotes brain function, a positive effect on blood vessels, helps absorb excess fat, supports healthy hair, nails, skin, is necessary for the thyroid gland.
9. Boron - is necessary for the endocrine system, helps the absorption of calcium, magnesium and fluoride.
10. Vanadium - is involved in the digestion of fats and carbohydrates, helps reduce the level of "harmful" cholesterol, promotes the production of cells that absorb pathogens.
11. Phosphorus - supports healthy bones and teeth, provides nutrition to muscles.
12. Sodium is necessary for the proper functioning of the nervous and muscular systems of the body, maintains water-salt balance in the body, has a vasodilator effect.

What are the benefits of beets?

General benefits

The rich content of vitamins and trace elements makes beets useful for all organs and systems of the body. It is especially important to consume it in diseases of the liver, intestinal problems. Beets are used not only as a nourishing and tasty food or for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. They are used in cooking as a natural dye, in cosmetics to maintain health and beauty. It is part of the folk medicine, which are used in the form of compresses or drops.

For women

Beet is an inexpensive and effective remedy that helps to lose weight and maintain good physical shape. It regulates the metabolism, so that toxins are removed from the body, and fats are broken down faster.

The consumption of 1-2 glasses of beet juice a day helps for a month to improve the complexion and skin condition, to balance the microflora in the gastrointestinal and genital systems.

Due to the content of vitamins and trace elements that regulate the production of hormones and hematopoietic activity, the use of beets during the critical days will help to ease their course.

For men

Potassium, calcium and B vitamins stimulate the muscular system, which is important for men engaged in physical labor or sports with a heavy load.

It is believed that thanks to the stimulation of the cardiovascular system, the expansion of blood vessels, as well as a positive effect on the CNS, beets have a positive effect on libido and potency.

Beet stimulates the removal of toxins. Because of this, it is useful for men with alcohol or nicotine addiction, both the chronic use of harmful substances, and in the period of rejection of them, reduces the symptoms of withdrawal.

In pregnancy.

Sufficient content of folic acid in a woman's body is the prevention of birth defects of the child. Beets, which are rich in the necessary vitamin, are recommended to pregnant women also because they help regulate the water balance and reduce edema. Another problem faced by women waiting for a baby is constipation. Beets are a natural laxative that has almost no contraindications.

One significant limitation for pregnant and nursing women is the reduction of raw beets and their juice in the diet. Raw fruit inhibits the absorption of calcium in the body, which is needed by both mother and baby. In this regard, boiled beets are preferable to raw beets during the period of expectation and lactation.

When breastfeeding

Beets have a positive effect on the health of the mother, purifying her body. After childbirth, women are often anemic, so beets, rich in iron, are an important element of the diet. The complex of vitamins and trace elements helps to strengthen the body, weakened by pregnancy.

Substances in breast milk from beets do not have a negative impact on the baby, provided that the mother does not abuse its amount. Some mothers report that eating beets helps to reduce gas, reduce colic and prevent constipation. Nevertheless, it is not recommended to eat boiled beets in the first 2-3 months after childbirth. During the adaptation period, the infant's body may react badly to the micronutrient-rich fruit.

Raw beets when breastfeeding is not recommended, except for a small amount (200-300 ml per day) of juice. The vegetable should be consumed with caution, starting with a few spoonfuls per day. This is necessary to make sure that the child will not have allergies. After that, you can include in your diet boiled beets with vegetable oil, borscht of lean meat.

For kids

Beets are useful for children due to the fact that:

1. It contains a lot of fiber, which normalizes digestion, and pectin acids, which have a laxative effect.
2. It is rich in vitamins A, C, folic acid, magnesium, which are necessary for the healthy development of the growing body.
3. Promotes the production of red blood cells, preventing anemia.

Beets should be introduced into the child's diet with great caution. It accumulates nitrates, which often lead to poisoning, can cause allergies and diarrhea. The recommended age when you can start adding boiled beets to children's menus varies depending on developmental characteristics, usually 8-12 months. The child should already be familiar with other vegetables (zucchini, potatoes, carrots). It is advisable not to introduce beets against a background of allergic reactions or other health problems.

Beet juice may be introduced only after one year of age and on the recommendation of the pediatrician, since it contains fruit acids, which irritate the gastrointestinal system.

Children of the first year of life should be given puree of boiled beets. At the same time it should be mixed with other vegetables, the amount of beet should not exceed 30%. Beet dishes are recommended to give in the first half of the day, to notice possible allergies or other unwanted manifestations of the problems of digestion of the fetus.

Children over one year old can prepare soups with beets, salads, casseroles, pancakes.

During colds, small children, who are contraindicated due to their age for many means of treating the runny nose and fighting viruses, can be buried in the nose beet water solution (one part juice to three parts water). It is important to keep in mind that this remedy will not help with a runny nose caused by allergies. Before using beet juice as drops, you should consult your pediatrician and do not exceed the concentration in the solution, so as not to cause burns or irritation of the mucous membranes. Raw beets can be offered to children over the age of one and a half.

Recipes for baby food dishes with beets:

1. 5 pieces of pre-soaked prunes are sliced or chopped with a blender. Then add to it half of the cooked beets, grated on a fine grater. Dress the salad with vegetable oil or sour cream. Such a salad should be liked for its delicate and sweet taste.
2. One apple, one carrot and half boiled beets grate on a fine grater and dress with vegetable oil.
3. Beet cutlets: 200 g of cooked beets are ground in a meat grinder or blender. Add 20 grams of butter, an egg yolk and flour to form a dense mass (4-6 tablespoons). The resulting mixture is boiled for about 5 minutes, then cooled and made into cutlets. You can roll them in flour or breadcrumbs, and then fry in butter or steam cook them.

Salt and sugar should be added to beet dishes for children in minimal amounts, in accordance with the recommendations of the pediatrician. Fruits for cooking baby food should be selected mature, even, with no signs of pest damage or rotting.

Can I eat beets while losing weight?

Beets regulate appetite and food cravings. Due to its high content of dietary fiber and pectin, adding it to your diet helps you achieve a feeling of fullness faster and maintain it longer. Its detoxifying, diuretic and laxative effects make it an important part of many diets. At the same time the caloric value of the fruit is minimal - about 43 kcal.

Raw beets can be used for weight loss. The most popular dishes from it are various salads:

1. 2 fresh beets, 200 g of cheese, 2 cloves of garlic and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. The ingredients are chopped, dressed with oil and herbs to taste (cilantro, parsley or other species). Salt does not need to be added, since brynza is usually quite salty. You can also use feta cheese, but it is one and a half times more caloric than bryndza, and during weight loss the difference in the number of calories can be significant.
2. Salad with fresh beets, carrots, lemon juice, olive oil and green onions is less caloric than with the addition of soft cheese, but also less filling.
3. It is acceptable to add cooked or other lean meat (chicken or turkey fillet, lean beef) to salads with raw beets.

During weight loss, the body may react particularly strongly to raw beets. Undesirable side effects may appear: diarrhea, allergies, low blood pressure. If they occur, you should give up dishes with the raw root vegetable.

Boiled beets are less likely to cause problems with the digestive or cardiovascular system, while retaining its most important properties. Recipe with boiled beets for dietary meals:

1. 3 cooked beets, parsley, lemon juice, olive oil are mixed, add salt to taste.
2. Add vinegar, pepper, garlic or other seasonings and spices.
3. To make the salad more filling, sprinkle with crushed walnuts.

Beet diet for a week (in addition to this it is obligatory to drink water during the day):

Monday

1. Breakfast: 150 g of cooked beets (without dressing or with lemon juice) and a glass of water.
2. Second breakfast: 100 grams of low-fat cottage cheese, tea.
3. Lunch: a salad made of fresh beets and nuts, or 50 g of meat, 50 g of bread.
4. Afternoon snack: apple, tea.
5. Dinner: glass of kefir and 200 g of cooked fish.

Tuesday

1. Breakfast: a glass of juice (one part beet juice, one part water, one part carrot juice) with 20 g of vegetable oil for the absorption of vitamin A from carrots.
2. Second breakfast: boiled egg, tea.
3. Lunch: salad with boiled beets and prunes, dressed with lemon juice and spices to taste, 50 grams of bread.
4. Afternoon snack: pear, tea.
5. Dinner: an apple, baked with honey (not more than 20 grams).

Wednesday

1. Breakfast: 200 grams of low-fat yogurt and tea.
2. Second breakfast: 150 g of beet chips, water with lemon.
3. Lunch: 200 g of lean meat with cauliflower (150 g).
4. Afternoon snack: tea with cookies "Maria" (100 g).
5. Dinner: salad with boiled beets and greens, dressed with vegetable oil (200 g).

Thursday

1. Breakfast: boiled beets, sliced and then with some diet bread (200 g in total) and tea.
2. Second breakfast: Banana and tea.
3. Lunch: Beet cutlets (beets, semolina for consistency, one egg, salt, pepper) - 2 pieces, 50 grams of bread.
4. Afternoon snack: apple, tea.
5. Dinner: 200 grams of nonfat kefir, 200 g of buckwheat porridge in water.

Friday

1. Breakfast: 150 g of rice and a glass of water with lemon juice.
2. Second breakfast: beet chips (100 g) and tea.
3. Lunch: 200 g of boiled meat (chicken or turkey) with a side dish of boiled beets.
4. Afternoon snack: 100 grams of grapes.
5. Dinner: a glass of nonfat kefir, 50 g of diet bread.

Saturday

1. Breakfast: oatmeal, boiled in water, with dried apricots and tea.
2. Second breakfast: 150 grams of low-fat cottage cheese.
3. Lunch: salad with fresh vegetables (beets, white cabbage, carrots, green onions, olive oil) with 50 g of bread.
4. Afternoon snack: pear, tea.
5. Dinner: 150 g of boiled meat (lean beef or chicken) with a side dish of boiled carrots (100 g).

Sunday

1. Breakfast: a glass of fresh juice (one part beet, one part water, one part apple) and 50 g of cookies "Maria".
2. Second breakfast: 150 g of nonfat yogurt.
3. Lunch: beet cutlets (2 pieces), 50 g of bread, tea.
4. Afternoon snack: 30 g of dark chocolate and tea.
5. Dinner: 150 g of boiled meat, 150 g of boiled beets.

Such a diet may not lead to a dramatic weight loss, but it will strengthen the body, remove harmful substances, improve mood, give a rejuvenating effect.

The benefits and harms of boiled beets

After heat treatment, vitamins and trace elements in beets are preserved almost completely. Boiled beets are absorbed by the body better than raw. Therefore, for weight loss, treatment and prevention of various health problems, it is preferable to choose fruits that have undergone temperature treatment, including baked or steamed beets.

Boiled beets are useful for anemia, diseases associated with iodine deficiency, to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression, normalize the liver, stomach and intestines. In the period of exacerbation of chronic diseases of the digestive system, diseases associated with excess iodine in the body, kidney disease, diabetes, cooked beets should be excluded from the diet or significantly limit its use.

What is healthier: raw or boiled

Boiled and raw beets differ slightly in composition: 100 g of boiled products - 50 kcal, in the raw - 43, protein - 2 g in boiled, 1.6 in raw, carbohydrates - 11 and 8 g, respectively. There are no fats in the cooked product, and in the raw it is about 0.2 g.

The benefits of raw beets:

1. The content of some nutrients is slightly reduced by heat processing. Including the amount of vitamin C is reduced.
2. The positive effect of useful substances is achieved faster than when consuming a product processed at high temperature.
3. Boiled beets have a higher sugar content, so they are not recommended for people with diabetes.

Benefits of boiled beets:

1. B vitamins increase their effect after baking or boiling.
2. The heat treatment kills possible harmful bacteria in the fruit.

Useful properties of beet juice

Sugar beet juice has a number of beneficial properties: it has a positive effect on the health of thyroid diseases, removes toxins, reduces the level of "harmful" cholesterol, preventing the formation of blood clots and other vascular diseases. It also increases the level of red blood cells in the blood and helps to reduce blood pressure. Anemia is another condition in which beet juice can alleviate the course of the disease and reduce the manifestation of symptoms.

How to prepare the juice
Before preparing the juice, the fruit must be washed, dried and peeled. You can use a juicer or a meat grinder. After grinding the beets, the resulting mass should be filtered, and the resulting juice should be stored in the refrigerator. Its useful properties are preserved for days.

Often beet juice is mixed with other juice, because its taste is quite pungent. Unlike other freshly squeezed juices, which are consumed immediately after preparation, beet juice should be pre-preserved in a cool place for about two hours. During this time, the volatile substances that give it an unpleasant taste are removed from it.

When used for therapeutic and preventive purposes, beet juice is introduced gradually, starting with 1/5 of the total volume. For example, for cancer, it is recommended to combine beets and carrots, with liver and kidney pathologies instead of carrots use apples. Gradually within 5 days, the content of beet juice can reach 4/5 of the volume. The course of reception of such a composition should not be less than 10 days.

The benefits of beet kvass

In addition to the extensive set of useful properties of beets kvass in the process of fermentation is enriched with bacteria that prevent the development of harmful microorganisms. Thus, the beneficial effect of drinking beet is enhanced.

Beet kvass helps to cleanse the body of toxins, normalizes bowel function. When hypertension, it helps to reduce pressure and reduce the frequency of attacks. It can be used to lose weight, to strengthen hair and nails, improve the skin of the face. Contraindications to its use are diabetes, urolithiasis, gout, allergies and acute conditions with pathologies of the gastrointestinal system.

Beet kvass can be drunk alone or added to okroshka or cold soups.

A simple recipe for kvass for cooking at home: one fruit beet, peeled from the skin, cut into cubes and pour two liters of boiled water. The solution is placed 100 grams of black bread, cover the bowl loosely so that the product entered the air, and stand for 3-7 days. During this period it is necessary to remove the foam that forms on the surface of the vessel with kvass and not allow the temperature to rise, where the semi-finished product. If it is too warm (from +22 degrees Celsius) kvass may begin to develop pathogenic bacteria. Then kvass is strained, tightly covered and infused for two more days. After that it is ready for drinking. Kvass can be stored for about a month.

Are beet tops good for you?

Beet tops contain the same vitamins and minerals as the fruit, with certain substances being found in even higher concentrations in the leaves than in the root vegetable. Vitamin P in the leaves increases the elasticity of blood vessels, prevents blood clots, internal hemorrhages, sclerosis. Vitamin U helps improve conditions in gastritis, stomach and intestinal ulcers, and is also a substance that many people associate with slowing the aging process. Thanks to the content of betaine in the beetroot, "harmful" cholesterol is eliminated from the body. Iodine, phosphorus, and cobalt help improve concentration and memory.

When losing weight, you can eat salads with fresh beet leaves, which will promote the absorption of useful substances and accelerate metabolism.

Beet leaves used for compresses have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.

Soak the haulm in hot water for a few minutes before using it. This will help soften its taste and reduce its bitterness. In cooking, they are used in soups, pickled, salted, dried, added to pie fillings, and used in salads.

Beets in medicine

Useful substances in beets make it an important element of treatment and prevention schemes for various diseases. In all cases, before using the root vegetable as a medicine, you should consult a doctor. Also, before starting a course of treatment, you should make sure that there are no allergies and other adverse reactions. Most acute conditions with diseases of various body systems are contraindications for the treatment of beets.

When diabetics.

The root vegetable has a high glycemic index and concentration of carbohydrates. In this regard, in diabetes, beets should be used with great caution to avoid elevated blood sugar levels.

The sugar content in raw beets is twice as low as in boiled beets, and the glycemic load index is low regardless of the processing method. Therefore, in case of type 1 and 2 diabetes, people who have digestive problems, it is acceptable to include the root vegetable in the diet. In addition, it has a beneficial effect on blood vessels and the heart. In diabetes, it affects the cardiovascular system, so the use of beets is useful as a prophylactic of blood clots, sclerosis.

With diabetes, it is important to maintain a normal weight and lose weight if you have extra pounds. The root vegetable helps to digest fats and accelerate metabolism, so it is useful for the prevention of problems caused by excessive strain on the organs from excess body weight.

Important: The glycemic index of boiled beets - 65 units, raw - 30.

In pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas, in which enzymes affect the pancreas itself. The main rules of diet in this disease are to limit the amount of protein, fats, sugar, products that stimulate gas and salt. In the acute stage of the disease, beets should not be eaten in any form. During the chronic course of the disease and as a preventive measure, regular consumption of beets in small quantities is useful: it cleans the walls of the intestine, acts as a natural diuretic and laxative. However, it is acceptable to include in the diet only fruits that have been heat-treated, raw beets are forbidden. It is important to properly combine boiled beets with other products: do not dress salads with fatty sour cream, do not add garlic and other ingredients that cause irritation to the membranes of the digestive system.

Beet juice can be consumed by introducing it gradually, starting with small doses, but no more than once a week. It should stand for 3 hours after cooking, it is desirable to dilute it with pumpkin or other juice.

For gastritis

Beets promote digestion and assimilation of food, reduce inflammation, help heal the mucous membranes, prevent constipation, support immunity. Thus, in the stage of the chronic course of the disease, the use of beets in small quantities with gastritis is allowed. During the exacerbation of the disease, it is better to refrain from eating the fruit.

Excessive consumption (over 100-200 g per day) can lead to a worsening of the disease due to the fact that the root vegetable increases acidity in the stomach. It is therefore important not to exceed the amount of beet allowed by the doctor and to consume it in boiled or baked form. At the same time, in the case of the disease with low acidity, doctors recommend necessarily including beets in the diet of patients with gastritis, as it helps to increase the production of gastric juice.

For the intestines.

Pectin, which is rich in beets, affects putrefactive bacteria and helps eliminate toxins from the body. Organic acids in the root vegetable stimulate the production of gastric juice and intestinal peristalsis. Fiber helps to fight pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal system.

During the therapeutic and prophylactic intake of the root vegetable, it is recommended to give up eating fatty, sweet and fried foods, which can reduce the beneficial effect of the procedures.

You should refuse to use beets during the exacerbation of intestinal ulcers, which can stimulate deterioration, pain, diarrhea.

With constipation

The fiber in the composition of beets stimulates the intestinal muscles, nourishes its bacteria, which helps to restore peristalsis. If the cause of constipation is liver problems, it is recommended to consume beet juice or the root vegetable in raw form. The betaine in beets is especially effective without heat treatment. If a patient with constipation has concomitant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the use of a thermally processed vegetable is recommended.

It should be remembered to observe a reasonable dosage in the therapeutic and prophylactic intake of beets. Its excessive or too frequent use can cause diarrhea.

For gout

Consume beets with gout should be very careful. It contains oxalic acid, which is involved in the excretion of salts from the body. When the urinary system is disturbed, the removal of salts is hampered, they accumulate in the joints and can provoke an attack of gout - an inflammation accompanied by pain.

Gout patients are allowed to eat beets only in boiled form, not more than 150 grams per day. It is also allowed to drink kvass or diluted beet juice, but no more than one glass per day. Thanks to a diuretic effect, salts are removed from the body. Boron strengthens the joints, betaine reduces inflammation and swelling of the joints.

In colitis

With inflammation of the intestinal walls, it is not recommended to eat raw vegetables, including beets, because they stimulate the work of the organ. Excessive strain during an exacerbation of the disease can cause pain and diarrhea. In the chronic stage or in remission, it is acceptable to eat boiled beets. They should be added to your diet with caution, gradually increasing to 100-200 grams per day. Boiled root vegetables help to restore metabolic processes in the body, have a beneficial effect on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract and help prevent attacks of colitis.

For the liver

Betaine in the composition of the root vegetable has a positive effect on the liver. This substance supports the performance of the organ, stimulates the processes of digestion of protein foods, prevents liver obesity. Beets help to speed up the movement of bile due to the content of flavonoids in it. Thus, the main function of the liver, the filtration of blood, is carried out more effectively.

For hemorrhoids

The consumption of the root vegetable helps to make the process of defecation regular, which is a key factor in the prevention and treatment of hemorrhoids. Beet juice compresses help with acute inflammation.

In cholecystitis.

In this disease, there is inflammation of the walls of the gallbladder, which leads to a violation of the outflow of bile, makes it difficult to digest fats, and affects the stool. In the first day of an acute attack, only drinking warm water or weak tea, with croutons of white bread is allowed. After the symptoms of exacerbation have subsided, restrictions are imposed on the diet: fatty foods, heavy meals, alcohol and foods that have an irritating effect on the organs of the digestive system are prohibited. These products include raw beets, which affect the body quite intensely.

Boiled, baked beets and juice from them are part of the diet for cholecystitis, as they reduce the frequency of attacks, help to normalize metabolic processes in the body. To prevent exacerbations and help in the treatment, it is enough to eat about 100 grams of beet products daily.

For anemia

Iron and magnesium in the composition of beets make it an important element in the complex treatment of anemia. Regular use of beets helps to improve blood values, increase hemoglobin and increase the concentration of red blood cells, normalize clotting (makes it less viscous), clean the blood vessels.

Beetroot-based folk medicine recipes

Beets are useful as a treatment and prevention of diseases of the throat, nose and upper respiratory tract:

1. For sore throat, honey is mixed with beet juice in a ratio of 1:2 and consumed on an empty stomach 2-3 times a day. This helps to reduce sore throat, the active ingredients combat pathogens and can shorten the course of the disease.
2. Beet juice is pumped into the nose when you have a runny nose to fight viruses and bacteria. For the procedure, freshly squeezed juice is left in the refrigerator for 4 hours, then heated to a comfortable temperature, diluted with water at a ratio of 1 part juice to 3 parts water. The drug should be used 3-4 times a day for 3-5 drops for a course of at least 5 days. For children under three years the dosage is reduced to 1 drop. Beet juice prepared as described above is also used to treat pain in the ears.
3. When anemia, low hemoglobin and other problems of the circulatory system, you can take a preventive course of taking beet juice: beets, radishes and carrots in equal parts are passed through a juicer or meat grinder. The mixture is taken 15 minutes before meals 2 tablespoons. To achieve a stable result and increase hemoglobin, the course should be carried out at least one month.
4. All the beneficial properties of beets for the health of the male urogenital system can be obtained in the form of freshly squeezed juice. Juice from carrots, beets, cucumber, sweet bell pepper are mixed in equal proportions and taken 0.5 cup three times a day for a month. If necessary, the course can be repeated after a break of 10 days.
5. Beet is used as a local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory agent. In diseases of the skin, including lichen, eczema, dermatitis, you can use compresses of boiled beet leaves, crushed and mixed with honey in a ratio of 1:1. It is important to apply the remedy in the absence of open wounds with secretions, only on the scarred areas.
6. With mastitis mashed leaves are applied to compacted areas of the body for half an hour. The procedure is repeated daily as part of a comprehensive therapy.
7. With a headache mashed leaves wrapped in gauze, put on the temples or forehead for 15-20 minutes.
8. Calluses or cracks on the feet are smeared with the juice of the tops. On top of wrap your feet with a bandage and leave the composition overnight.

Beets in cosmetology

Beets are a common ingredient in facial masks, hair products. For the preparation of cosmetics use both the tops and roots.

For face

In order to reduce oily shine, improve the complexion, moisturize and refresh the skin, masks of cooked beets are used. To make them, the fruit is boiled, peeled, grated with a fine grater and the excess juice is removed. Exposure time should not exceed 20 minutes, after the procedure the skin should be cleaned of the product and moisturizing cream should be applied. Various additional ingredients will help to achieve the desired effect for various problems:

1. To give the skin an even matte shade, one teaspoon of camphor alcohol is added to the grated beet. Such a mask is applied for two weeks every other day.
2. To moisturize your skin, add 100 ml of milk, 100 ml of St. John's wort tincture and two teaspoons of aloe juice to 200 grams of grated boiled beets.

Washing with beet broth with the addition of 5% apple cider vinegar (1 teaspoon per 2 cups of broth) will help reduce rashes on the face.

Face mask of mashed crushed beet leaves helps to relieve irritation, eliminate rashes and accelerate the healing of lesions.

For hair

Dyeing with beet juice is a way to give your hair a healthy shine, strengthen it, and reduce inflammation of the scalp. This method is suitable for those who are allergic to chemical dyes, as well as those who are contraindicated in the use of unnatural products, such as pregnant and lactating women.

1. To prepare the dye, you need a glass of beet juice, half a packet of henna powder and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice. The mixture is applied to the roots, then to the entire length of the hair and leave it for 15-30 minutes. If a darker shade is needed, you can add basma to the mixture.
2. The addition of carrot juice or coconut oil will improve the condition of the hair, giving it strength.
3. Women with blond hair should keep in mind that such coloring gives a red tint to the curls. More often this cosmetic procedure is used by brunettes and brunettes.
4. Like all natural dyes, beet juice combined with henna has a visible effect for no more than two weeks. Then the procedure should be repeated.

Mask of grated boiled beet applied to the hair roots helps in the fight against dandruff. To achieve stable positive results the procedure should be repeated 2-3 times a week for a month.

Harms and contraindications.

There are a number of diseases in which you should limit the use of beets:

1. With hypotension and a tendency to low blood pressure, the root vegetable can provoke a strong decrease in pressure.
2. For urolithiasis and gout, beets can provoke deterioration, make it difficult to remove salts from the body and provoke inflammation in the joints.
3. During exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases from the use of fresh beets should be refused, boiled fruit and its juice can be used with great caution.
4. For diabetes, the amount of root vegetables eaten daily should be limited to 100-200 grams due to their high sugar content.
5. When using beets for their laxative effect, you should be aware of the possible overdose and associated diarrhea.
6. Beets can cause allergic reactions, before its use for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes should be tested for sensitivity.

Harvesting and storing beets

Root crops protrude above the ground, so beets should be harvested before the first frost to avoid damaging the fruit. Some varieties ripen in July, but most often the time of harvesting is August or early September. The main sign that the fruit is ready for harvesting is the dried and yellowed leaves. The size of the root crop should be about 10 cm in diameter.

During harvesting, the beet is lifted up and gently removed from the ground. Then it is shaken off the remaining soil and the leaves are cut off. The remaining haulm should not be more than 2 cm. Once the slices have hardened and the fruit is dry from excess moisture, the beets can be put away for storage.

Fruits without scratches and cracks can be stored for up to 8 months. The humidity in the room should not be more than 85%, the temperature - about +3 degrees Celsius. The fruits can be stored in bags filled with sawdust. Another option is boxes sprinkled with peat or sand. The proximity of beets with potatoes is beneficial for both vegetables, they retain their properties longer.

Can I freeze beets?

Beets can be frozen raw and boiled. The most convenient way is to boil the fruits, chop them to the right size (grate or slice), place them in containers or portion-sized bags and put them in the freezer. Repeated freezing after defrosting is not recommended. Boiled beets are stored in the refrigerator at 0 to +6 degrees for no more than two days, frozen at about -18 it can keep up to one year.

What can be cooked from beets: recipes

A variety of dishes made of beets are used in the cuisine of many peoples of the world and Russia. Most often it is used to prepare salads and first courses, but there are many other simple ways to cook it, which will help to improve the body and make a variety in the usual diet.

Salad

For salads use raw or cooked beets.

1. Fresh beets go well with grated apples, carrots, radishes and other vegetables. To make the salad more nutritious, you can add nuts, raisins, prunes, soft cheese or lean meat. It is best to dress such salads with vegetable oil or sour cream.
2. Boiled beets can be a stand-alone dish, just grate them, add salt and olive oil to them. Adding green onions, parsley, cilantro, will make the dish more flavorful. Nuts, meat, prunes or garlic will add spice, sweetness or other flavors to salads.

To ensure that the bright fruit does not stain other salad ingredients with its juice, the beets should be mixed with vegetable oil before adding them to the other ingredients.

Caviar

To prepare beet caviar, grate cooked vegetable, mix with salt, garlic, pepper and stew over low heat for half an hour. It is possible to prepare caviar from raw root vegetables with the addition of various vegetables.

For example, you can mix raw grated beets with carrots and tomatoes, passed through a meat grinder, in equal proportions. Then add three spoonfuls of finely chopped onions. Stir the vegetables, add salt, pepper, parsley and stew over low heat for two hours. A few minutes before the end of cooking, add sugar, vinegar. After that the caviar is ready for consumption or preservation.

Cutlets

To prepare the original vegetable cutlets you will need 300 g of grated boiled beets. To it add 50 g of butter, one egg and semolina for consistency, as well as salt and pepper to taste. Cutlets from the resulting mixture are rolled in breadcrumbs or flour and stewed for 40 minutes. Grated boiled carrots can be added to beets.

Pkhali

Prepare these components: one boiled beet, 2 cloves of garlic, 200 grams of walnuts, cilantro, parsley, green onions, 5% red vinegar. The nuts are chopped in a blender with the greens. Then boiled beets, chopped into chunks, are added to them and everything is processed into a medium-grain mixture. Vinegar, pressed garlic, salt and other spices to taste are added to the resulting mass. After mixing form balls and serve them to the table.

Puree

Using a blender, grind boiled beets (3 pieces), mixed with olive oil, 2 cloves of garlic, salt and half a cup of nonfat yogurt. The resulting mixture is heated without bringing it to a boil, and stewed for 5-10 minutes.

Carpaccio

The first step is to prepare the marinade. To do this, mix half a cup of olive oil, 2 spoons of balsamic vinegar and 2 spoons of honey. Then the boiled beets are cut into thin slices and marinate for at least two hours. After that prepare the cream: mix mascarpone or other soft unsalted cheese (200 g), 100 g of sour cream, 10 g of citrus zest and 5 g of coriander. Slices of beet are placed on a plate, sprinkled with greens (arugula or other, to taste), put the cream on top, sprinkled with pine nuts and chopped green onions.

Kvas

To make a traditional Russian drink you will need:

• 100 g of sugar
• three liters of water;
• Salt - to taste;
• 1,5 kg of table beets.

Wash the raw beets, peel them and cut them into slices. Then place it in warm water, pour sugar and salt and leave for a week in a warm place. After 6-8 days kvass will be ready.

When kvass is prepared with the addition of sugar additional stimulation of the fermentation processes takes place, as a result of which ethyl alcohol is formed as part of the drink. This should be borne in mind when drinking kvass before driving a car or performing work that requires concentration.

Salt in kvass gives the beverage an additional touch of flavor and also acts as a preservative, preventing the development of bacteria during fermentation. It also helps extract natural sugars from beets. Therefore, kvass made without added sugar is also quite sweet.

To speed up fermentation, you can add whey from sour milk or black bread to the water. It is also acceptable to use raisins, apricots, dried ginger and other ingredients to enrich the taste and flavor.

Borsch

There are many options for cooking borscht, they vary depending on the region, the tastes of the hostess and available ingredients. A simple and quick recipe:

1. The meat, bay leaf and other seasonings are removed from the meat broth. In the broth add 3 diced potatoes, 200 grams of grated cabbage and cook them for about 10 minutes.
2. Carrot (1 piece) and onion (1 piece) are finely chopped and fried in a pan for 5-10 minutes. Then add to the roast 1 beet, grated on a medium grater, tomato paste (3 tablespoons) or 2 tomatoes put through a meat grinder. Stew the mixture for about 10 minutes.
3. Stir fry, potatoes with cabbage, pre-cooked chopped meat, add fresh herbs, salt, pepper to taste and cook for 10 minutes. Then leave borscht for an hour and a half or two hours and then serve.

Sauce

Warm up half a cup of dry white wine in a small saucepan. Add one diced boiled beet and add 150g of meat broth. After 15 minutes add salt and pepper. After that, the sauce is cooled down and processed with a blender until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Before completing the preparation, 1 tablespoon of sour cream is added to it, you can add sugar or other spices to taste.

Beet chips

Beet chips are a hearty and healthy snack or original appetizer. To make them you will need 2-3 fruits and seasonings to taste. Beets cut into thin plates, place on a baking tray and place in an oven heated to 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes. When the chips are done drying, you can sprinkle them with salt, sesame seeds, pepper, or other seasonings. You can add olive oil to flavor them before serving.

How to pickle

Pickled beets, prepared for the winter, can be useful for cooking soups, salads or as a side dish to hot dishes. For cooking in a 1.5-liter jar will require:

• beets - 1 kg;
• 6% vinegar - 3 tablespoons;
• water - 1.5 liters;
• sugar - 150 grams;
• salt - 30 grams;
• allspice - 5 peas;
• cloves - 5 cloves.

Boil the beets, then cut them into long strips or grate them on a coarse grater. To prepare the filling, boil the sugar, salt, pepper and cloves for 5 minutes. Wash and sterilize the storage container. Then put the beets, the filling and vinegar in it. Cover the container with a lid and sterilize for 10 minutes. Immediately after that, close the jars airtight and leave in a dark, cool place.

How to cook

For cooking, it is best to use fruits no larger than 10 cm in diameter, with thin skin and without external damage. Before cooking, beets should be thoroughly washed, cut off the tail and the tops.

1. On the stove beets are boiled for about two hours at low heat. It is important that the water completely cover the fruit. Do not salt the water, this will make the vegetable harder. To preserve the bright red color, you can add 1-2 grams of citric acid or half a tablespoon of lemon juice per liter of water.
2. To speed up the process, you can add 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the water and cook the beets on high heat for about 40 minutes. Then place the beets under cold running water for another 20 minutes. The temperature difference contributes to the softening of the fruit.
3. In a multicooker, beets can be cooked in the "steam" mode, placed on a grid, or "stew". Cooking time is determined depending on the model of equipment and is usually about an hour. You can also use the mode "baking". For this purpose, beets are wrapped in foil greased with vegetable oil, placed in the bowl of the multicooker and left for one hour.

How to bake

Baking is a convenient way for when you need to prepare a large volume of beets, for example, for several salads. You need to preheat the oven to 180-200 degrees. Wash the beets, remove excess moisture from them. Then wrap each fruit in foil, greased with vegetable oil. Bake the beets for about an hour.

Is it possible to eat raw beets every day

If there are no contraindications and a reasonable dosage is observed, salads and snacks made of raw beet are acceptable to eat daily. A safe rate is considered to be about 200 g per day, but if unwanted reactions occur, reduce the portion size of the raw fruit or use it less often, alternating with a boiled product or juice.

Can I eat it at night and on an empty stomach?

The use of the root vegetable before a meal helps to strengthen the metabolism, better absorption of vitamins and micronutrients, improves appetite. The use of beets for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes is always made on an empty stomach.

Beets before bedtime helps the digestion of food eaten during the day and fat burning. A salad of boiled root vegetables with olive oil, eaten for dinner, will give a feeling of fullness, will promote the work of the gastrointestinal tract and cleanse the body of toxins.

Can I Give Beets to Animals

Fodder beets are a nutritious and beneficial product for cattle. Other pets can also be offered the vitamin-rich root vegetable, but care should be taken.

1. Small amounts of raw or boiled beets can be offered to dogs several times a week. It should be remembered, however, that it often causes allergies in pets, so you should start with the smallest amount. Also, in dogs with light-colored hair, it can cause a change in color, giving them a red hue.
2. Cats can be offered boiled beets or beet juice as a prevention of urolithiasis or digestive problems. Beets are often included in ready-to-eat cat foods.
3. Hamsters often suffer from diarrhea and allergies even with minimal amounts of beets eaten. It is best not to treat them to the root vegetable, or to do so infrequently.
4. Guinea pigs can receive raw, boiled or dried beets. It saturates their body with vitamins and prevents many diseases.
5. Rabbits should be offered fodder beet, but introduce it into the diet gradually, starting with 25 g per day. It is good for their health and growth, but can also cause allergies and diarrhea.
6. Wavy parrots enjoy eating raw beets. It is very good for their health and should be part of their diet on a regular basis.
7. Chickens should also receive a supplement in the form of crushed raw or boiled beets in their diet. However, the amount of the root vegetable should be limited to avoid digestive problems.

Why does beet urine turn red?

Beets contain betacyanins, which are natural coloring pigments. Depending on the amount of fruit eaten and the concentration of dye in it, urine can take on a hue from pink to red. Betacyanin is considered harmless to health and is widely used in the food industry.

The more fluids a person drinks during the day, the lower the concentration of the dye in the cells of the body, the less saturated the color of the secretions. The variety of beets also matters, some varieties contain a minimal amount of dye. Storage conditions are also important. Betacyanin decomposes when exposed to sunlight. Beets that have been stored outside will dye less than those that have been stored in the dark. Baked or steamed beets stain the urine more than those that have been boiled, as they have most of the dye transferred to the broth.

Increased acidity in the stomach interferes with the breakdown of the dye pigment. If you consume beets on an empty stomach, the color of urine will not change. If you combine the root vegetable with lemon juice, onions, and other foods with high acid content, the concentration of pigment in the urine will be high and its color will be bright.

Interesting facts about beets

1. In ancient Rome, beet tops soaked in vinegar or wine were used. Mention that the root vegetables were suitable for eating came much later than information about pickled beet tots.
2. In ancient Rome, beets, along with several other vegetables, were sacrificed to the god Apollo. This fruit was considered to bring strength and youth.
3. Leafy beets are becoming popular in Russia among gardeners and cooks alike. Its peculiarity is that it does not have a root vegetable, the usual form of the plant. Only the leaves are used as food. The plant is distinguished by a bright haulm, sometimes it is grown for decorative purposes.

Photo of a beet