The Benefits of Beet Juice
- A Powerful Cleanser

What's So Great About Beets?
Beets are a unique source of betanin and vulgaxanthin which are phytonutrients known as betalains. They have both have been shown to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification protection. They are involved in some of the detox steps involving glutathione. While these betalain pigments are found in other foods (like the red-colored stems of chard or rhubarb), the high concentration of betalains in beets makes them an especially good source.

Beets have two important carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, that are especially important in eye health. They play a role in protecting against eye problems of the macula and the retina such as age-related macular degeneration.

Beeturia (a reddening of the urine) after consumption of beets affects an estimated 10-15% of all U.S. adults. While the reddening itself is not harmful, it may be an indicator, if there are other reasons to suspect iron-metabolism-related problems that there is a problem. People with symptoms of iron-related problems such as iron deficiency, iron excess, or specific problems with iron metabolism are more likely to experience beeturia and might want to do further investigation of their condition.

Recent lab studies on human tumor cells have shown that the betanin pigments from beets may lessen tumor cell growth by inhibiting pro-inflammatory enzymes (specifically, cyclooxygenase enzymes) and through a number of other mechanisms,. The cell types in which these observation were made included tissue from tumors of the colon, stomach, nerve, lung, breast, prostate and testicle. While these studies did not prove an anti-cancer effect from beets, the results are encouraging researchers to look more closely at the value of betanins and other betalains from beets for both prevention and treatment of various types of cancer.

Here are some of the specific conditions that are impacted by the benefits of beet juice:

Acidosis: the high alkalinity of beets help to make an acid condition more alkaline.

Anemia: The high content of easily-assimilated iron helps to regenerate and reactivate the red blood cells and supplies fresh oxygen to the body. Beets also contain copper which helps make the iron more available to the body. Beets are a great blood builder.

Atherosclerosis: Beets juice dissolves inorganic calcium deposits that cause the arteries to harden.

Blood pressure: Beet juice will not only help to lower high blood pressure but it has the effect of normalizing blood pressure so that it can improve low blood pressure as well.

Cancer: Studies show that beet juice helps to inhibit formation of cancer-causing compounds and protect against colon or stomach cancer. This is due to the high content of the aminos acid betaine.

Constipation: The cellulose content helps with bowel movements. Regular consumption of beet juice will help relieve chronic constipation.

Detoxification: The choline content of the juice detoxifies the entire system especially the liver.

Gastric ulcer: Drinking beet juice mixed with a little honey two or three times a week on an empty stomach will help speed up the healing of ulcers.

Gall bladder and kidney ailments: Both these organs enjoy the cleansing properties of beet juice especially when combined with carrot juice.

Gout: This can benefit from the cleansing qualities of beets and their alkalizing effect.

Heart health: Beets help provide protection against coronary artery disease (doesn't a whole beet even somewhat resemble a heart?) and stroke and to lower cholesterol levels.

Liver or bile: Beets are very good for cleansing the liver, for liver toxicity and for ailments like jaundice, hepatitis, food poisoning, diarrhea or vomiting. A little lime juice with it will make the treatment more effective.

Varicose veins: As is helps with elasticity of arteries, regular consumption of beets juice can also be a benefit to help prevent varicose veins.

So, you can see from this that the benefits of beet juice are considerable. Although it tastes good, it is quite strong and you will want to take only small amounts at time. It is great mixed with carrot juice. An good alternative for many people that makes it much easier to deal with is to obtain a dried beet juice powder.

Read about the tremendous nutritional value of beets.