Today I'm going to tell you about a food that has amazing healing qualities as well as helping in weight loss goals: beet root juice. I've been enjoying the benefits of this food for a while now and I wanted to share this information with you. So what does this juice contain that makes it so good for you?
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Beet juice is one of the best sources of nitrates and antioxidants. Your body converts these nitrates into a compound that improves blood flow throughout your body.
How does this benefit you? Improved blood flow can help lower blood pressure and promote heart health. Increased blood flow can benefit athletes for better performance. The elderly will also find this is huge benefit and reduce the risk of stroke and heart issues. But anyone can benefit from better blood flow. It increases oxygen to the brain and helps you concentrate and focus better.
Antioxidants reduce the risk of degenerative diseases, based on a study done in 2001 by the Usana Health Studies. Beet root juice also helps improve the results you receive from exercise. It can improve your oxygen levels up to 16 percent, which means you'll feel less tired and you'll be able to exercise longer.
Though eating beets is also beneficial, the process of cooking the beets results in the loss of nutrients. Beet root juice does not suffer from this loss. All the nutrients are retained when you drink the beet juice.
How much do you need to drink? Studies have shown that drinking as little as one cup of juice per day can provide many health benefits. Two to three ounces will aid in digestion and prevent constipation. Many people prefer to blend beet root juice with other juices due to its somewhat bitter flavor.
But how can beet root juice help with weight loss? Any food that provides you with a lot of healthy nutrients with a small amount of calories is a good choice for those trying to lose weight. You can consume fewer calories and still be sure your body is receiving everything it needs.
Beet root juice contains Vitamin C, folate, magnesium, iron, cooper and potassium. That's a lot of bang for a cup of juice!
As I already mentioned, beet root juice can improve your stamina allowing you to exercise longer and therefore burn more calories. And burning more calories is always good for weight loss. Drinking a cup of beet root juice mixed with other vegetable juice right before eating has also proven to be an appetite suppressant for many people. Give it a try and see how it works for you.
This post was originally published on January 23, 2014.