If you or a loved one has diabetes, then you know how tricky it can be deciding on safe and new foods you can introduce in your diet. Your doctor has advised you on the nutrients your body needs the most – and what you should avoid. This article will enlighten you on why beets would make a great addition to your meals.
Anyone who has friends or family ailing from any long-term condition knows how it feels – like a punch to your gut.
So where do beets fit in all this? Fruits, lean proteins, veggies, and whole grain meals are the best for diabetic patients. Stick to unprocessed foods to get as much nutrition as possible. Alongside the spinach, nuts, apples, and blueberries, the purple beets don’t just add color to your meals; they are advantageous for people with diabetes.
Benefits of Beets to Diabetic Patients
Lower Blood Pressure
Research shows that beets have the power to lower your blood pressure. Many people with diabetes (especially type 2 diabetes) often experience high blood pressure, which means that beet consumption may help. So how does this small root vegetable do that?
Beets are known for their high nitrate content. These nitrates, when in your body, encourage your blood vessels to widen and stretch, allowing better flow of blood through them. Just one glass of beet juice a day can lower blood pressure in a diabetic individual with high blood pressure. Here’s how you can make beet juice at home.
More studies are ongoing to test this beet benefit for the long-term since it would mean cutting off medication for high blood pressure.
Boosting Stamina
Individuals with diabetes are at a higher risk of attracting cardiovascular disorders and heart disease. To minimize this risk, exercise plays a major part in keeping your heart healthy, and beets can increase oxygen take-up in your muscles, leading to strength and tolerance to exercise.
Detox
Apart from reducing inflammation, beets have antioxidants. The antioxidants carry harmful molecules called “free radicals” with them for excretion. Free radicals can be damaging to your liver and blood vessels.
Other benefits include the possibility that the alpha-lipoic acid in beets can reduce nerve damage that is not uncommon among patients with diabetes.
Conclusion
There’s been a lot of hype with superfoods, most of them consist of unfamiliar ingredients that promise to deliver so much – especially health – but most of them are a fad. The best thing you can do for your health is sticking to whole foods. Make the most of the organics at your disposal because that is the sure way to get your guaranteed variety of nutrients.
