Beetroot juice: useful properties and contraindications, reviews

Beets, like almost any vegetable, are distinguished by properties useful for the body. They are also preserved in freshly squeezed beet juice. But not everyone knows for which diseases the product is especially effective, as well as which pathologies are a contraindication to use. What are the benefits and harms of beetroot juice, how to take it for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.

Composition and calorie content of beetroot juice

Beets have a beneficial effect due to the presence of many useful components in the composition. The complex of vitamins includes B vitamins - B1, B2, B9, as well as E, C and PP. The product is rich in minerals, including:

• sodium;
• potassium;
• magnesium;
• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• iodine;
• iron;
• selenium.

100 g of the drink contains 42 kcal, 1 g of protein, 9.9 g of carbohydrates and not a single gram of fat.

Why beet juice is good for you

The benefits of beetroot juice for the body are varied - each vitamin and mineral, as well as their combinations, explain this or that beneficial property:

1. Iron helps maintain blood function by increasing the number of red blood cells.
2. Iodine improves memory.
3. Iron and folic acid help oxygenate muscles.
4. Magnesium prevents blood clots.
5. Potassium stimulates the normal course of physiological reactions in the body.
6. A balanced combination of sodium and calcium helps dissolve excess calcium, which makes veins and blood vessels healthy.
7. Chlorine cleanses the liver and kidneys and also supports the lymphatic system.

In addition to the general beneficial properties, the product has a beneficial effect on both the female and male body.

For women

Freshly squeezed beetroot juice is useful for women to relieve the ailment of blood loss during menstruation. You need to drink it 50-100 g 2-3 times a day. During menopause, the use of such a drink can become more effective and healthier than synthetic hormones.

For men

The elements in the composition of the product prevent the growth of adenoma - a benign tumor of the prostate gland, and also prevent the development of cancer. B vitamins and zinc contribute to the production of male sex hormones, which helps to avoid impotence.

Can pregnant and lactating women drink beet juice?

Pregnant women are characterized by stress, insomnia, neuroses and emotional instability. Fresh beetroot is useful for strengthening the nervous system, so during gestation it is not only possible to drink it, but also necessary. Also, pregnant women are often concerned about constipation. In this case, the agent can be taken as a laxative.

In the third trimester, many expectant mothers suffer from hypertension caused by weight gain. A drink here will also help lower blood pressure.

Breastfeeding mothers are often wary of the laxative effects of beets and beet juice. But there is nothing to be afraid of - beetroot juice will not harm the baby, and the laxative effect can only affect the mother's body.

In the first month of breastfeeding, you should refuse to drink the drink, so as not to provoke an allergy. However, the red pigment in the vegetable is not a pronounced allergen, therefore, from the 2nd month of birth, moderate consumption of juice will not harm.

Is it possible to give beet juice to children

Beet juice is a rather aggressive product for the children's digestive system, therefore it is recommended to introduce it into the child's diet no earlier than 8 months of age. The taste of the drink is not pleasant for everyone, so it can be diluted with carrot or apple juice. Before use, the product must be infused for 2 hours - you cannot give it to a child before.

The benefits of beet juice for weight loss

The drink will also help with weight loss. The beneficial effect on weight loss is due to some of the special properties of the product. After consumption, a feeling of fullness is felt, it is explained by an increase in blood sugar. After 15-20 minutes, the body begins to produce insulin, and the person feels hungry, so a moderate protein snack is needed.

This way of drinking the drink promotes fast and healthy weight loss. Also, the tool helps to remove excess fluid from the body, which is especially important for obesity.

How to drink beet juice properly

Beetroot juice should be used with caution. It is important to follow a number of necessary rules:

1. Raw beet juice should not be drunk immediately after preparation. In order for volatile essential oils to disappear, it must be refrigerated for at least 2 hours.
2. It is worth starting to take the drink gradually - starting with 1 tsp. and gradually increasing the amount to 200-250 ml.
3. Beet juice can be mixed with carrot, cucumber or pumpkin juice to help prevent dizziness and nausea.

To get used to the taste and properties of the product, at first it is advisable to use it in combination with carrot juice, with the latter prevailing. Gradually, the proportion of the beet component can be increased. It is undesirable to take the drink for more than 2 weeks, after this period it is necessary to suspend the intake.

How to take beetroot juice for medicinal purposes

Treatment with beet juice will also be effective. Such therapy is used to combat a number of diseases, including quite serious ones.

With oncology

The useful properties of the agent for the treatment of cancer have been clinically proven. Betaine, a vegetable dye, is known for its antitumor properties. To relieve pain, increase appetite and hemoglobin, the patient should take 1 glass of a mixture of beetroot and carrot juice 2 times a day. A 2-week reception should be interrupted with a 2-week break, and then repeat the course.

For the liver

The product is useful for cleansing the liver from toxins. The liver also needs B vitamins. Drinking should start with 1 tbsp. l., gradually increasing the dose by 1 tbsp. l. The maximum dose is 1 glass, which must be divided into 3 doses and consumed throughout the day. The duration of the course is 2 weeks.

From a cold

For the treatment of a cold, juice at room temperature must be diluted with water, with 1 tbsp. l. juice accounts for 2-3 tbsp. l. water. The agent is instilled into the nose 3 times a day for 6 days.

For constipation

Boiled beet juice has a milder effect on the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines than juice from fresh root vegetables.

Sometimes constipation is caused by liver problems. In this case, raw beet juice will help.

From pressure

Beet juice helps with hypertension, especially when combined with honey. Juice and liquid honey should be mixed in a ratio of 1 to 1. This remedy is used 150 ml once a day for 2 months. The break in treatment is 1-2 months, after which it is useful to repeat the course.

With diabetes

The product is useful for diabetics: it helps to reduce blood pressure and improve blood transport. Low in calories and high in fiber, it helps to maintain weight loss and raise good cholesterol. Nevertheless, the product should be drunk in moderation - the volume of boiled beet juice should not exceed 120 ml per day, while raw - 50 ml.

With anemia

Beetroot juice is beneficial for increasing hemoglobin, which is why it is often recommended for treating anemia. The drink accelerates the formation of red blood cells. The daily dose is half a glass, which must be divided into 3 doses.

The use of beetroot juice in cosmetology

Vegetable juice is also used in cosmetology - its properties make the skin of the face beautiful and healthy. Potassium and betaine moisturize the skin, while vitamin C promotes elastin and collagen production. Thanks to this, the skin becomes more elastic. Fiber prevents pathogens from entering the pores. The product is also useful for improving hair health.

Face masks

To make the face mask even more useful, you can add additional ones to the main ingredient:

1. 1 tbsp. l. beetroot juice must be mixed with 1 tsp. sour cream and 1 egg yolk. This mask is suitable for all skin types.
2. 3 tbsp. l. freshly mixed with a spoonful of grated potatoes. To make the composition thicker, you can add flour to it. The mask helps with irritation.
3. A mask made from a mixture of beetroot and cucumber juices and a couple of tablespoons of heavy cream is well suited for moisturizing.

If the skin already has redness and cuts, then the remedy should be treated with caution - a large amount of vitamin C can only aggravate the situation.

Hair Mask

To prepare a hair mask, a glass of vegetable juice is mixed with crushed aloe leaf and the mixture is spread through the hair. Next, wrap your head with a plastic bag and a towel and stand for 40 minutes. To achieve the effect, it is advisable to repeat the procedure every week.

How to make beet juice at home

The recipe for making beetroot juice is simple, you just need to rinse the root vegetables, peel them, cut them into quarters and pass them through a juicer. However, you can make a drink without special equipment.

This requires a fine-perforated plastic grater and clean gauze. Gauze needs to be boiled and dried. The grated vegetable is wrapped in cheesecloth and squeezed out the liquid. This method is not suitable for preparing large volumes, but for medicinal purposes, beets can be squeezed out this way. From 1 small root vegetable, about half a glass of juice is obtained.

Harm of beet juice and contraindications

Despite the beneficial properties, the remedy has a number of contraindications. These include:

1. Urolithiasis and other kidney diseases.
2. Gout and rheumatoid arthritis - Oxalic acid in vegetables can be harmful for these diseases.
3. Hypotension - when eating beets, there is a risk of further lowering blood pressure.
4. Chronic diarrhea - beets have a laxative effect, so with this ailment it will only harm.
5. Increased acidity of the stomach - the vegetable has the property of further increasing the concentration of acid.
6. Use the product with caution with frequent heartburn.

How long can beet juice be stored

It is advisable to use freshly squeezed juice as soon as possible - it does not withstand long-term storage.The longer the drink is stored, the more likely it is that vitamins will come into contact with the air and be destroyed. However, it is important to pre-soak the juice at a temperature of about +4 ° C for 2-4 hours.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of beetroot juice depend on the individual characteristics of the human body using this drink. When used correctly and in the absence of contraindications, the remedy has a beneficial effect, helping to alleviate the symptoms of many ailments, as well as get rid of them. The medicinal properties of beetroot juice can be verified by reading the reviews of people who have used the product.

Reviews