Colorful beets offer protection from cancer, heart disease

Fresh Beets You've heard those stories about Russian country people who live more than 100 years. Some claim to be 120 years old.

It could be the lowly beet that's responsible for this longevity. Borscht, the traditional Russian soup made mainly of beets, contains powerful compounds that help protect against heart disease, birth defects and certain cancers, especially colon cancer.

Ancient Romans were the first to cultivate beets and use their roots as food. Tribes that invaded Rome were responsible for spreading beet consumption throughout northern Europe. In the 19th century, it was discovered that beets were a concentrated source of sugar, and the first beet sugar factory was built in Poland.

Scientists say the pigment that gives beets their rich color, betacyanin, is a powerful cancer-fighting agent.
The antioxidant glutathione peroxidase in beets is a strong bodyguard for the liver. As the liver breaks up toxic substances, it generates a lot of free radicals, which this antioxidant can destroy.

Antioxidants help to protect against heart disease, but beets also aid the heart health by lowering levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and raising levels of beneficial cholesterol, called HDL.

Beets are rich sources of important minerals such as manganese, potassium, and magnesium. Their high levels of folate help expectant mothers avoid birth defects in newborns. A cup of beets contains only 74 calories and has high levels of vitamin C.

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