Tip
of the Week
Tip
of the Week
Beets are brimming with nutrients, including a compound called betacyanin, the substance that gives them their crimson hue. Better yet, this pigment also appears to give beets potent cancer-fighting power. Researchers who tested the muscle of beet juice and other vegetable and fruit juices against some common cancer-causing chemicals found that beet juice ranked close to the top in preventing cell mutations that are commonly linked to cancer.
Even though few studies on beets and their ability to fight cancer have been completed, Europeans have used beet juice for years to help combat the disease. Beets also contain a healthful helping of folate, known to help prevent birth defects. A half-cup of boiled, sliced beets contains 45 micrograms of folate--nearly 11% of the Daily Value. Beets also contain an ample supply of potassium and iron. If you want to prepare fresh beets, cook them lightly. The longer you cook beets, the fewer anticancer properties they retain.
If you eat enough beets, your urine may temporarily turn pink or red, a condition called beeturia. Don't worry--the condition is harmless and will go away, often within a day.
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