Dwight Schrute loves beets, and so should you!
Admit it. We’ve all wanted to take a trip down to Shrute farms and sample the finest beets in the greater Scranton area.
Dwight Schrute is a man of many talents, and as it turns out, a man of good taste as well. Beets are an incredible superfood that should be a staple in everyone’s diet.
Regardless of whatever paper company you happen to work at.
Beets have a myriad of health and lifestyle benefits that are worth investigating and understanding. But don’t worry. You won’t have to get a nutrition degree to grasp the basics. We’ve done the hard work for you by rounding up our favorite beet facts and explaining why YOU should include them in your life.
Let’s not ‘beet’ around the bush any longer and get straight into the list.
What makes Beets so healthy?
Beets are a root vegetable. Root vegetables are high in vitamins and minerals while also being extremely rich in beneficial antioxidants.
Like its cousin (the carrot not Mose), beets have an abundance of nutrients like potassium, magnesium, iron, and Vitamin C. And that’s just scratching the surface. All this densely packed nutrition helps stave off diseases and keeps your immune system and organs running properly. Useful if you have an organ donor card.
Beets also contain compounds called nitrates. Nitrates are converted to nitric oxide by the body and are used to dilate blood vessels. This is incredibly important for people with high blood pressure or those who suffer from or are anticipating heart-related issues. When the blood vessels dilate, there is less chance of clots or other restrictions blocking them and disrupting the blood flow to vital organs.
Will beets make me a better athlete?
The only way to become a better athlete is to actually practice and work hard. Unless you’re a blackbelt. Then you’re already halfway there.
But on a serious note, beets actually have been shown to help increase athletic performance and endurance in certain tests. This ties back to the nitrates we’ve already discussed. Dilated blood vessels can transport blood more efficiently and effectively to the muscles in your body and as a result, can help delay the fatigue that sets in during and after intense physical exercise.
Many athletes use beet juice as a post and pre-workout recovery drink and swear by it. Even if you aren’t an athlete beet juice is still a great drink to include in your diet, and who knows? It may just help you save your coworkers’ lives by intercepting the receptionist’s crazy ex-fiancé. Or a bear attack.
I have inflammation and low immunity. What about me?
Beets are here to save the day yet again.
Beets contain two important compounds that are essential to the problems outlined above: Manganese, Betalain, and Copper.
Manganese helps your body regulate its enzymatic processes. There is a direct carryover between manganese and your body’s ability to heal wounds, strengthen bones, and regulate your metabolism.
Copper directly helps your immune system stay healthy. It does this by creating new red blood cells and by generating energy production. This combined with an abundance of Vitamin A means that antibody production is increased, as are your white blood cells. Both help fight diseases.
Betalain on the other hand has a direct and very impactful effect on inflammation in the body. According to researchers, Betalain interferes with the body’s inflammatory signaling process. This effect is so profound, researchers believe beetroot extract could reduce the need for using synthetic anti-inflammatory compounds.
Shrute farms should take note.
I’m convinced. I’ll eat beets every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Not so fast.
Like everything in our life, things aren’t as simple as they appear. While beets are an incredible source of nutrition, the general guidelines of moderation and balance still apply.
One thing to be aware of is the fact that beets have a very high concentration of oxalates. While a small number of oxalates is not unhealthy by any means, a significant and consistent dosage has been shown to inhibit the absorption and utilization of certain minerals like calcium and iron.
This doesn’t mean you should sell your farm in despair and start selling paper full time though.
Oxalates only do damage in large quantities and only seriously affect people who may have a genetic predisposition to certain diseases and conditions.
Beets are also relatively high in natural sugars but again, a balanced diet should make this a non-issue for most people. You might also find a red-stained surprise in your toilet the next day. This is just a result of the beet’s natural dye. No need to panic and call your local Lackawanna County Sheriff’s deputy.
So there you go!
You’re a certified beet expert and are ready to help yourself and others gain the benefits this marvelous vegetable has to offer.
And the bonus?
You are now capable of having an excellent conversation with Dwight K Schrute, the next time you go to your favorite paper supplier.
