Beets are a colorful root vegetable that can add flavor, texture, and valuable nutrients to everyday meals. They can be roasted, boiled, grated into salads, or blended into smoothies. Beyond their earthy taste and vibrant color, beets contain dietary fiber, folate, and naturally occurring plant compounds that have attracted interest from nutrition researchers.
One area of particular interest is their natural nitrate content, which may play a role in supporting healthy blood pressure. Beets also provide fiber for digestive health and pigments that contribute to their distinctive red and purple colors.
Here are five things to know about how beets may contribute to a balanced diet, along with a few precautions to keep in mind.
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