Beet benefits: The heart-healthy, versatile veggie you need

Beets are a delicious traditional side dish for dinner. They pair well with ground meat, pork chops, or roasts. However, they can also be served for supper as they work beautifully with hummus, for example. Here is how to prepare and season them to make them the best.

Beets are one of the most versatile vegetables. They make excellent pink sauces, and they’re also great in smoothies and juices. Beet salads are also very popular. It’s worth eating them in every form.

Beets, known for their intense red color, significantly impact health. This color is due to betaine – a substance with potent antioxidant properties. Betaine can help neutralize free radicals, thus supporting the body's fight against chronic diseases and delaying aging. These vegetables are also rich in many vitamins and minerals that support the entire body's functioning. They contain vitamins A and C, strengthening the immune system and improving skin condition. Additionally, beets contain B vitamins, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and many other essential microelements.

Beets are beneficial for the heart. The nitrate found in them converts in the body to nitric oxide, which dilates and relaxes blood vessels. This improves blood flow, which is particularly beneficial for people with hypertension. Beets are also a great source of folate (folic acid), which is crucial for properly functioning the circulatory system. They also help lower homocysteine levels, an amino acid associated with the risk of heart disease.

Cold beets are one of the simplest ways to prepare these vegetables. You just need to cook them, and once they cool down, grate them using a coarse grater. The base of the salad is ready. Now, just season them and add finely chopped onion. A bit of acidity will enhance their natural sweetness. Lemon juice, citric acid, or wine vinegar, such as apple or raspberry, will work perfectly here.

Ingredients:             

• 3 medium beets
• 1 onion
• 2 tablespoons of wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Parsley, dill, optionally

Preparation method:     

1. Cook the beets, then drain, cool, and peel them. Next, grate them using a coarse grater. Chop the onion into fine cubes and add to the grated beets.
2. Mix wine vinegar, olive oil, and honey until they are uniform in consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste.
3. Pour the marinade over the beets and onion and mix thoroughly to combine the ingredients.

Important!  

• Cold beets are best served chilled and can be sprinkled with parsley or dill.
• They can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for several days. This will allow them to retain their freshness and flavor longer. Be sure to cover them carefully to avoid absorbing other odors from the refrigerator.