What if Micheal Jackson’s song “Beat It”  was really about beets? Beets themselves could possibly deserve their own song because of how nutritious they are!

Beets also are known as beetroot, and are a root vegetable which grows in temperate environments and is native to Europe. From the species Beta vulgaris,  beets are closely related to Swiss chard and many different types of beets including sea beets and Mangelwurzel. 

Beets have been eaten since the ancient times. The Romans used them as an aphrodisiac and though they promoted amorous feelings. They have also been used to produce sucrose. In fact, about 20 percent of the world’s sugar comes from beets, which use less water than sugar cane.

Beets have a distinct earthy taste to them due to the presence of the compound, geosmin.  Despite the earthy taste, beets have a bounty of properties which can help improve the health of your body. Beets can help lower blood pressure due to the presence of nitrates, which, when converted to nitric acid in the body, can help widen and relax the blood vessels. They are also a good source of folate, potassium, vitamin c and a variety of other vitamins.  Beets also contain betaine, which is a compound that may help prevent or reduce fatty deposits in the liver.

Tell your old eating habits to “Beet it” and try some beets at your local grocery store or even in our Penn State dining commons!

Sources:

http://www.pbs.org/food/the-history-kitchen/history-beets/

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a668

https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/beetroot-juice-benefits#cancer-prevention